Martin Scorsese discusses "The Saints," his belief in cinema, and his potential future project

Growing up in Little Italy in New York, Martin Scorsese used to look up at the people he saw in the area of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral.

"Who are these individuals? What is a saint? Scorsese remembers. "I don't see any saints the moment I leave the cathedral. I witnessed people making an effort to act morally in a very primitive and organized crime-oppressed atmosphere. When you're young, you ask yourself, "Are the saints human?"

Scorsese has been considering a film devoted to the saints for decades. He has now come to terms with it in "Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints," an eight-part documentary series that premieres on Fox Nation, Fox News Media's streaming service, on Sunday.

A saint—Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, John the Baptist, Thomas Becket, Mary Magdalene, Moses the Black, Sebastian, and Maximillian Kolbe—is chronicled in each of the one-hour episodes, which were written by Kent Jones and directed by Matti Leshem and Elizabeth Chomko. The first three weekly episodes of Joan of Arc will air closer to Easter next year, with the final four to follow. The series premieres on Sunday.

"The Saints" highlights that, indeed, the saints were extremely human through realistic reenactments intercut with quick expert conversations led by Scorsese. According to Scorsese, their immense sacrifices and acts of kindness are all the more remarkable because they were flawed, imperfect individuals. For instance, the Polish priest Kolbe promoted antisemitism prior to, during, and after WWII by providing refuge to Jews and finally offering his life in lieu of a man who had been condemned at Auschwitz.

Shortly after returning from a trip to his grandfather's village in Sicily, Scorsese, who turns 82 on Sunday, recently had an interview. The experience of being proclaimed an honorary citizen was still fresh in his memory.

Remarks have been condensed and clarified.

Why did you decide to create "The Saints"?
SCORSESE: My early years, relaxation, and the haven I discovered in St. Patrick's Old Cathedral are all brought back to me. being unable to participate in sports or act tough on the streets. The streets were somewhat difficult down there, you know. There, I discovered a haven. Today, it is a basilica. New York's first Catholic cathedral, built in 1810 and 1812. It appears in the film "Gangs of New York." In 1844, it was attacked by anti-immigration and Know Nothings factions. Archbishop Hughes retaliated. There is a lot of history there. I was interested in these statues, these individuals, and what they stood for in this reflection. They told tales.

Did they appear divine to you at the time, or did you understand them?
SCORSESE: It took some time to consider that and come to the conclusion that, no, what matters is that they are human. They set a terrific example for us, in my opinion, if they could accomplish that. In a challenging environment, whether it be business, Hollywood, politics, or something else entirely, if you are rooted in something genuine, behaving with love and compassion, this is something that must be recognized and imitated. They are fallible. Overvaluing that individual, in my experience, practically absolves you of responsibility. "At least someone is doing it."

The fact that you're publishing "The Saints" with Fox Nation startled some people. How did you find them?
SCORSESE: This is something I've wanted to accomplish for years. In 1980, I attempted this with Rome's RAI Television. After that, it collapsed, and I directed the energy toward "The Last Temptation of Christ," "Kundun," and "Silence"—all of which were clearly in the area of what you might refer to as spirituality.

It was actually going to happen when they passed by. "Yes," I replied, "I'll accept this." "This is the outlet," they remarked. “All right, as long as we are free to say what we want,” I said. The scripts were followed by them. They agreed to the shoot. They accepted the cuts. Now, my question is: Do we take these ideas or sentiments and only share them with like-minded individuals? We won't get anything from it. I'm referring to maintaining an open mind.

There is a difference between filming in Manhattan and Oklahoma, the location of the filming of "Killers of the Flower Moon." It is a totally different experience to be with people on a farm ten times the size of Manhattan than it is to be on 63rd Street. You start to see the world through their eyes. just to comprehend the meaning of day and night in rural regions. Being out there for so long was a revelatory experience.

I wonder how you view the role of your faith in filmmaking, given that you have made overtly religious films like "Silence" and "The Last Temptation of Christ." What connection do you see between God and movies?

SCORSESE: God is the inspiration of the movie. It is the result of a gift. Additionally, that talent involves a yearning or enthusiasm for storytelling. Somehow, I've been endowed with a grace as a storyteller that has made me completely fixated on it. The grace has come from both my ability and my perseverance in making these movies throughout the years. Since every one is a battle. There are times when you trip, fall, strike the canvas, and are unable to get back up. You pounded around and crawled over bleeding. Despite being doused with water, you manage to survive. You visit someone else. Next, you go on to another. I swear, this is grace.

Cinema isn't a god in my opinion. It is God's manifestation. The manifestation of God is creativity. When it clicks, when it works, something happens within of you. Perhaps you believe it works, but not everyone does. However, something occurs that cannot be described other than as a gift. To me, experiencing and being present in that moment is a gift. Thus, it is conveyed through film. Movies are the source of it. Even an advertisement, as advertisements are difficult. You have less than forty-five seconds to tell a narrative. It was three hours and fifteen minutes since my last photo. (Giggles) Hurry up!

You've considered a number of alternatives for your next film in the year following "Killers of the Flower Moon." Now, where are you? Is "The Life of Jesus," from the novel by Shusaku Endo, going to be your next movie?

SCORSESE: I'm still working on it, but it's a possibility. I have a very good chance of starring in a movie adaptation of Marilynne Robinson's "Home," but it depends on scheduling. Another possibility is that I will go back in time and deal with my parents' stories about their upbringing. My trip to Sicily was connected to stories of immigrants. Since "Killers of the Flower Moon," a considerable amount of time has passed. I would like to shoot a movie right now, despite my dislike of rising early. Time is running out. I'll be eighty-two. I had to leave.

In making that decision, are you receiving any different guidance?
SCORSESE: The question that guides you is: Is it worthwhile to do this late in life? Are you able to get through? Is your time worth it? Because time is now more valuable than anything else, save for the ones I love, my family. There is nothing more.

Have you recently noticed anything that you like?
SCORSESE: I've been watching a few older ones. Two weeks ago, I saw a movie called "I Saw the TV Glow," which I really enjoyed. It was incredibly poignant and strong on an emotional and psychological level. In a sense, it builds on you. I had no idea who had made it. This Jane Schoenbrun is it.

Any older movies?
"A Face in the Crowd" ought to be viewed repeatedly. That seems like it would be significant.

Are you strongly affected by the election?
SCORSESE: I have strong feelings, of course. I believe my work and the things I've said over the years make this clear. It is, in my opinion, both a profound sadness and an opportunity. a genuine chance to change things, perhaps in the future, to never give up, and to be considerate of others' needs. This is the time for contemplation. Take action? I'm not a public servant. I would be the worst thing you could think of. I wouldn't know what to do other than to keep talking and showing some sort of empathy with each other. This is what it’s about.