MM Notebook: Martin Scorsese and I
![]() |
Martin Scorsese and I have a lot in common. Both he and my mother were born about 60 years ago, about an hour's drive apart, both third generation Italian-Americans.
An amazing coincidence in itself, but it doesn't end there. He likes country music, I like country music. The Searchers is his favorite western, The Searchers is my favorite western. We both dig Cassavetes, gangster films and Italian Neorealism. We were both brought up Catholic. People have called both of us "intense guys." He directs features films, I directed a feature film. He interrupts you when you talk, just like everybody on my mother's side of the family does. He lives in New York, I want an apartment in New York. He has brown eyes, I have brown eyes. I could go on, because as you can tell, I've thought a lot about this. What is it that's always fascinated me about Martin Scorsese? It has to be more than just the fact that I love his movies. I mean, I never felt this way about Billy Wilder...
I know a lot of MovieMaker readers are also intrigued by the Scorsese mystique, but we'd never been able to interview him until now. Needless to say, he isn't exactly easy to pin down. When we finally got the call that he'd meet with us to help promote his new movie, Gangs of New York, we were there. Our discussion with the man who many believe is America's greatest living director begins on pg. 60.
Scorsese possesses that certain brand of charisma that the best actors and directors always seem to have. Think of what makes great actors so watchable. It's a pent-up energy that electrifies the screen. They're dangerous. They can explode at any moment. Whatever life force gives rise to that energy, Scorsese has it.
So did the late, great Rod Steiger and John Frankenheimer, both of whom I interviewed for MovieMaker years ago, and both of whom sadly left the stage three days apart this past summer. We'll miss them very much.
In this annual New York/Post-Production issue we're
introducing our new "On Location" department, which this time features
a group of moviemakers who call New York City home. It's great to
see how strongly the NYC production community is bouncing back,
with so many of our Big Apple friends and advertisers doing so well.
One of them is the former Audrey Cohen College, which changed its
name to the Metropolitan College
of New York. Thanks for picking up #48. Have a great holiday
season—we'll see you in Park City in January. MM
SHARE THIS STORY |
TAGS |
Advertisement
COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
![]()
This story was published in the Fall 2002 MovieMaker Magazine. The headline was:
MM Notebook
Order this issue | Subscribe to MM
![]()
![]()
Latest from the blog:
Jaman Launches “Movie Channel for the World”
Jaman.com announced the availability of instantly streamed, HD-quality movies—for free.
With nothing more than a simple click, cineastes can watch one of 100 ad-supported titles from the online distributor's collection of more than 3,000 films at no cost. Alternatively, those viewers who are less inclined to "pay" for the free films by watching the ads can pay just $1.99 to watch them commercial-dree. “By offering a free streaming media service along with our current rental and ownership download options, we are anticipating the future of digital cinema," says Jaman founder and CEO, Gaurav Dhillon. "With streaming, we provide our community with a quality viewing experience that is free and for our advertisers, we deliver a unique audience and premium and targeted placement opportunities.”
Posted 05.15.08 | News/Commentary | 1 comment
Other recent posts:
Posts people are talking about:
![]()
SITE DELIVERY OPTIONS
![]()
Advertisement





