Martin Scorsese doesn’t need to prove his cinephile bonafides — he’s a walking film encyclopedia. Whether it’s classic American cinema, foreign films, or the dustiest corners of movie lore, odds are that not only does he know something about it, he’s well versed in it as well. However, when it comes to contemporary cinema, it would seem that the legendary filmmaker is a bit cooler on what’s available.
At a press conference for his upcoming “Silence” (via HeyUGuys), the director revealed his thoughts on the state of movies at the moment, and his belief that there simply might be too much and/or not enough of it meets the high bar for the best the medium has to offer.
“There’s over saturation, particularly in our world as it is now and nothing really does have a meaning. Images for example are everywhere. Cinema used to be in a building and even on television, you’d see a film or whatever. I must say a lot of the films that I’m aware of and I don’t see that many new ones over the past two or three years, I stopped because the images don’t mean anything,” Scorsese said.
READ MORE: 23-Minute Talk With Martin Scorsese About ‘Silence,’ Says Film Was “Way Over Schedule”
“We’re just completely saturated with images that don’t mean anything,” he continued. “Words certainly don’t mean anything anymore, they’re twisted and turned. So where’s the meaning? Where’s the truth? So we have to strip away everything. It goes back to that question I had in ‘Mean Streets,’ how do you live a good life? A life which is good, meaning compassion, and respect for others, in a world like today or in a world where I grew up, quite honestly.”
It sounds like he wants modern films to ask bolder or deeper questions, and given that the studios are continually shifting to empty blockbusters that sell brands and toys, it’s easy to see his frustration. However, that’s not to say Scorsese finds nothing worth celebrating or investing in when it comes to current movies, as he’s thrown his producer powers behind films like “Free Fire,” “Bleed For This,” and “The Young Victoria.” And there’s no louder voice out there when it comes to restoring great movies.
Thoughts? Do see where Scorsese is coming from? Let us know in the comments section and see “Silence” when it opens on December 25th.