Last year, Martin Scorsese found himself in the middle of a silly debate about whether or not Marvel Studios films (and franchise films, in general) were actual “cinema.” Comments made by the filmmaker contended that the artistic value of the medium is somehow missing from the current crop of blockbuster films. All this to say, Scorsese is a staunch defender of cinema and wants it to be as great and important as he believes it can be. And it’s that sort of message he recently brought to the Toronto International Film Festival.
Speaking at an event at this year’s TIFF (via Yahoo), Scorsese offered some words of encouragement for the festival and the future of cinema. However, he warned against what he worries is the continuing trend of people treated films are “a form of comfort food.”
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“The fact that film festivals are continuing to happen, improvising, adapting, making it all work somehow, is very moving to me,” said Scorsese. “Because in the press and in the popular culture, what’s happening, it’s becoming sadly common to see cinema marginalized and devalued and in this situation categorized as a form of comfort food.”
He added, “So to celebrate its very existence is all the more important and necessary. Because we can never remind people enough that this remarkable art form has always been and will always be much more than a diversion. Cinema, film, movies, at its best is a source of wonder and inspiration.”
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This idea that cinema is somehow akin to mashed potatoes or mac and cheese comes from the recent discussion about the reopening of cinemas after the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen arguments on both sides, for and against the opening of indoor theaters, with some saying that cinemas are not necessary because films aren’t “essential.” Clearly, Scorsese is on the side of those that believe cinema is an art form, first and foremost, and shouldn’t be lumped together with other forms of “comfort food” entertainment. Obviously, as with any opinion offered by Scorsese or other filmmakers, your mileage may vary.
That being said, it is nice to see TIFF, Venice, and the upcoming NYFF begin to offer film festivals in a time of uncertainty. Because for many of us, film is way more than a marginal form of entertainment. Cinemas are more closely akin to churches and other sacred places…even if our church features assholes on their cellphones interrupting the scripture readings.