Martin Scorsese, synonymous with cinematic excellence, has been honored as WSJ. Magazine’s Film Innovator of the Year. This accolade is part of the magazine’s annual Innovators Issue and Awards, spotlighting pioneers in fashion, art, and music.
Martin Scorsese WSJ. Magazine Feature
Although Scorsese has released his 27th feature film, Killers of the Flower Moon, his perception of himself remains humble.
Scorsese still considers himself a student of filmmaking, stating, “If I feel I’m just shooting the script—and it may be the greatest script ever made—I don’t know what I’m doing. Why am I there? Can I go deeper? How far can we push? What can I learn? Not how to make a movie—just about life. Know what I mean?”
In an industry where ego often takes center stage, Scorsese offers a lesson in collaborative humility. He navigated the contrasting methods of his two leading actors for Killers of the Flower Moon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro, with nuanced ease.
“Oh, endless, endless, endless!” Scorsese said, describing DiCaprio’s frequent discussions and improvisations on set. “Then Bob didn’t want to talk. Every now and then, Bob and I would look at each other and roll our eyes a little bit. And we’d tell him, ‘You don’t need that dialogue.'”
Even as he approaches his 81st year, Scorsese’s commitment to the evolution of art remains steadfast. His nuanced insights not only serve as industry benchmarks but also challenge the status quo, pushing cinematic boundaries into new frontiers.
His outlook for budding filmmakers is optimistic, as evidenced in an accompanying video interview with WSJ. Magazine, where he shares advice for those starting in the industry and reflects on his past experiences.
