"Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's not."
Martin Scorsese's quote, "Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's not," highlights the importance of selectivity and composition in filmmaking. It suggests that the power to create meaning and evoke emotions lies not only in what is explicitly shown on screen but also in what is intentionally left out or excluded from the frame. This deliberate choice shapes the narrative, atmosphere, and overall impact of a film, making it a powerful tool for storytelling.
"The cinema is a spiritual purgatory."
Martin Scorsese's quote, "The cinema is a spiritual purgatory," suggests that filmmaking, particularly his own work, is a profoundly emotional and introspective process. By calling it a "spiritual purgatory," he implies that the act of creating films strips away superficial layers and forces him to confront deep-seated emotions, fears, and truths about humanity. It's as if the movie-making process serves as a purification or catharsis for Scorsese, allowing him to express his innermost thoughts and feelings through art. Ultimately, this quote emphasizes the transformative power of cinema and its ability to serve as both a vessel for self-discovery and a means of exploring the human condition.
"I'm just interested in reality, in portraying reality."
Martin Scorsese emphasizes his interest in authenticity and truth through storytelling. He aims to create cinematic works that accurately represent the world around us, or "reality," as he calls it. His films are often deeply rooted in real-life experiences and human emotions, making them relatable and impactful for audiences.
"Violence is a real part of our culture. It always has been... but we're not supposed to look at it."
Martin Scorsese's quote implies that violence, though deeply ingrained in many societies throughout history, is often perceived as taboo or unacceptable to observe. This dichotomy between the reality of violence in our culture and the societal norm of turning a blind eye to it suggests a complex relationship between entertainment, morality, and individual perception. The quote invites reflection on how we grapple with, process, and ultimately respond to the presence of violence in our society.
"A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, if there is one, must work its way through just as a melody works its way through a concert of music."
Martin Scorsese's quote emphasizes the emotional and artistic nature of filmmaking. He sees movies not merely as narrative stories but more like music – a series of evoking feelings and moods that resonate with the audience. Just as a piece of music has its unique melody, a film should have a coherent theme that subtly progresses throughout, enhancing the overall emotional impact on viewers. This perspective underscores Scorsese's belief in the importance of sensory and affective storytelling in cinema.
Our world is so glutted with useless information, images, useless images, sounds, all this sort of thing. It's a cacophony, it's like a madness I think that's been happening in the past twenty-five years. And I think anything that can help a person sit in a room alone and not worry about it is good.
- Martin Scorsese
People say you should do it this way, someone else suggests that, yes, there's financing, but maybe you should use this actor. And there are the threats, at the end - if you don't do it this way, you'll lose your box office; if you don't do it that way, you'll never get financed again... 35, 40 years of this, you get beat up.
- Martin Scorsese
I know that I come from mid-20th century America, urban, specifically downtown New York, specifically an Italian-American area, Roman Catholic - that's who I am. And a part of what I know is there's a decency to people who tried to make a living in the kind of world that was around us and also the Skid Row area of the Bowery; it impressed me.
- Martin Scorsese
I think all of us, under certain circumstances, could be capable of some very despicable acts. And that's why, over the years, in my movies I've had characters who didn't care what people thought about them. We try to be as true to them as possible and maybe see part of ourselves in there that we may not like.
- Martin Scorsese
I'm sad to see celluloid go, there's no doubt. But, you know, nitrate went, by the way, in 1971. If you ever saw a nitrate print of a silent film and then saw an acetate print, you'd see a big difference, but nobody remembers anymore. The acetate print is what we have. Maybe. Now it's digital.
- Martin Scorsese
The cinema began with a passionate, physical relationship between celluloid and the artists and craftsmen and technicians who handled it, manipulated it, and came to know it the way a lover comes to know every inch of the body of the beloved. No matter where the cinema goes, we cannot afford to lose sight of its beginnings.
- Martin Scorsese
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