Why Martin Scorsese Says The Movie Industry Is ‘Over’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Martin Scorsese shares his thoughts on the movie industry today and why he thinks it’s “over.”
“Well, the industry is over,” Scorsese said in a recent GQ interview. “In other words, the industry that I was part of, we’re talking almost, what, 50 years ago? It’s like saying to somebody in 1970 who made silent films, what do you think’s happened?”
The SILENCE director explained that today, studios are more focused on making movies that can spawn sequels and franchises.
“It’s almost like AI making a film,” Scorsese explained. “And that doesn’t mean that you don’t have incredible directors and special effects people doing beautiful artwork. But what does it mean? What do these films, what will it give you? Aside from a kind of consummation of something and then eliminating it from your mind, your whole body, you know? So what is it giving you?”
Scorsese has shared his opinions on big blockbuster franchises like Marvel before.
“I don’t see them. I tried, you know? But that’s not cinema,” he said in a 2019 interview. “Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Scorsese’s comments on the movie industry and how streaming has affected it:
Famed Hollywood director Martin Scorsese, known for a wide variety of movies like SILENCE and HUGO, claimed that streaming services are “devaluing” cinema by an oversaturation of “content.”
The director wrote an essay about Italian director Federico Fellini for Harper’s Magazine, in which he expressed his concern.
Although Scorsese has worked with Netflix in the past, he said that “the art of cinema is being systematically devalued, sidelined, demeaned, and reduced to its lowest common denominator.”
“As recently as 15 years ago, the term ‘content’ was heard only when people were discussing the cinema on a serious level, and it was contrasted with and measured against ‘form,’” Scorsese wrote.
“Then, gradually, it was used more and more by the people who took over media companies, most of whom knew nothing about the history of the art form, or even cared enough to think that they should.”
This fatigue with the industry, coupled with Scorsese’s age, has the director thinking he may not make many more movies.
“It’s just, I got as far as this,” he said. “And that’s what I do. That’s it. And if I could just muster up the energy, God willing, to make a couple more, one more maybe, and that’s it, OK? That’s as far as I got. You keep going until you can’t. But what I mean is that you gotta rip it out of your skull and your guts. To find out what the hell you really— what do you really feel should be said at this point in life by you? You gotta say something with a movie. Otherwise, what’s the point of making it? You’ve got to be saying something.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
