It’s hard enough to get many people to go to church every Sunday, so a two hour plus movie about the philosophical and theological battle with faith doesn’t sound like something that would sell a lot of popcorn – even if it’s directed by Martin Scorsese. Indeed, the director’s passion project with “Silence” earned just over $7 million worldwide, which is disappointing for a movie so personal to the director, and so rich in ideas. However, the filmmaker remains unshaken from exploring that kind of thematic material in future films.
Scorsese’s longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker has revealed that the director is still keen on tackling religious subject matter in future films, even if it won’t be the next thing he does.
“…he wants to make more films like this, that are spiritual, basically, but not set in 17th century Japan [laugh]. In the modern time. So hopefully we’ll be able to make that. Not the next one, the next one is ‘The Irishman,’ which is De Niro and Joe Pesci and elderly gangsters. So that’ll be very different from ‘Silence.’ But maybe the one after that!” she told Crave.
Wait, did Schoonmaker just confirm Pesci for “The Irishman”? It was just a few months ago that it was reported that De Niro was trying to convince the reluctant actor to come aboard. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
As for “Silence,” Schoonmaker wishes that more people had turned up, but believes the film will stand the test of time.
“…it’s daring and it’s difficult to make a movie like this because maybe people don’t understand, and don’t go see it because of that. They worry. ‘Oh dear, what is this? Am I going to be lectured?’ They don’t understand that [‘Silence’] is not like that. It was a real serious challenge. I wish it had done better. I think the movie will last and be very important to people. Which is all one can ask. So many fantastic movies, so many fantastic reactions from people. But if you’re going out with your family on Saturday night, you’re not going to go to this movie [laugh],” she said.
“The reviews were… I’ve never read reviews like this. They’re just ecstatic sometimes, which is fantastic. All kinds of people, which is all you can hope for with this,” Schoonmaker added.
“Silence” is now available on Digital HD and Blu-ray Combo Pack.