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.
It made 7 million in the US. BoxOfficeMojo doesn’t have the worldwide figures.
But more importantly – Schoonmaker just confirmed Pesci’s involvement in The Irishman?!
Nice catch! Now they just have to get Al Pacino right? I’m surprised he’s not trying to add DiCaprio somehow to the mix but I guess this is a reunion of the 1970’s Hollywood giants. 🙂
Scorsese’s explicitly religious films have never done big box office, historically (Kundun, Last Temptation), but it is my firm belief that Silence is his modern masterpiece, and will receive its due appreciation in 5-10 years.
Silence is better than all 9 nominees for Best Picture
The Oscars are worthless garbage.
I don’t think The Irishman is going to be the “slam-bam-thank-you-mam” gangster movie everyone expects from Scorsese. It’s not a film about the allure of wealth but is really the story of an old man looking back at the choices he made in life and regretting them. It’s going to have more in common with Silence than The Wolf of Wall Street.
Still, now that Scorsese is at “I’ll do what I want” stage in his career after 40 years of great work I expect we’ll see more masterpieces like Silence in the near future.