Martin Scorsese to produce film with 'final interview' with Pope Francis
New information about Pope Francis will be revealed soon as Martin Scorsese announced that he is producing a documentary film that will feature what is touted to be the pope’s "final in-depth on-camera interview" before his death.
In a report by The Guardian, the filmmaker's feature-length documentary titled Aldeas – A New Story will delve into non-profit organization Scholas Occurrentes that was founded by Francis in 2013 to promote a "Culture of Encounter" among youth.
It will chronicle the group's latest "Aldeas" initiative, which encourages young people in Indonesia, Gambia, and Italy to make short films promoting cultural dialogue.
In a statement before his death, Francis said that the Aldeas was "an extremely poetic and very constructive project because it goes to the roots of what human life is, human sociability, human conflicts ... the essence of a life’s journey."
Scorsese meanwhile emphasized the importance of intercultural dialogue and understanding in our present time.
"Now, more than ever, we need to talk to each other, listen to one another cross-culturally. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by sharing the stories of who we are, reflected from our personal lives and experiences."
"It helps us understand and value how each of us sees the world. It was important to Pope Francis for people across the globe to exchange ideas with respect while also preserving their cultural identity, and cinema is the best medium to do that," he added.
The renowned director had formed a close connection with Francis and had several conversations with him over the course of his career.
In a statement sent to Variety at the time of Francis' death, Scorsese praised him for being a "remarkable human being."
"He acknowledged his own failings. He radiated wisdom. He radiated goodness. He had an ironclad commitment to the good. He knew in his soul that ignorance was a terrible plague on humanity. So he never stopped learning. And he never stopped enlightening. And, he embraced, preached and practiced forgiveness. Universal and constant forgiveness," he said.
The news outlet detailed that Aldeas – A New Story is being produced by Aldeas Scholas Films in association with Sikelia Productions and Massive Owl Productions.
Apart from Scorsese, Teresa Leveratto, Ezequiel del Corral and Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, with Lisa Frechette, Romilda de Luca, Ariel Tcach and Ariel Broitman will be serving as executive producers.
No release date has been scheduled for the film.
Francis died on April 21 aged 88 after suffering a stroke, coma and heart failure.
He has now been laid to rest at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome. He is the first Pope to be buried there since Clement IX in 1669.
