Martin Scorsese is a director par eminence who has creatively and successfully helmed dozens of iconic, thought-provoking, award-winning, socially relevant movies, many of which have achieved top-level status in the industry. Scorsese has achieved tremendous success, fame, and fortune, making him one of the most distinguished film directors.
While he has continued to receive praise for his work, several of his movies have generated controversies because of his bold depiction of sensitive subjects, for he is a passionate artist who constantly pushes his cinematic talents.
He once revealed that his 1988 epic religious drama film The Last Temptation of Christ sparked controversy after its release. Scorsese shared that he was shocked by the response to his movie, as many even protested to boycott this project, adding, “Some critics called the movie unintentionally funny.”
Martin Scorsese Was Shocked by the Response to His Film
Martin Scorsese is perhaps the greatest filmmaker whose untamed, raw energy behind the camera and his unique approach to filmmaking have helped him collaborate with enough A-list actors on his passion projects. He has emerged as one of the prominent and most influential figures of the New Hollywood era.
The Academy Award-winning director has been working steadily since the late 1960s, delivering back-to-back record-smashing hit movies for fans to rejoice. Even at age 80, he is showing no signs of slowing down. However, like any filmmaker, Scorsese has seen his fair share of ups and downs in his career, and many of his projects have received criticism and sparked controversies over the years.
According to reports, when his 1988 epic religious drama film The Last Temptation of Christ hit theaters, many people protested to boycott this movie, and not just that, but he even received death threats. The film sparked enrage in the Christian community, and they rebuked it for supposedly depicting a false narration of Jesus’s life.
Martin Scorsese Reacted to the Controversy
In a candid interview, award-winning director Martin Scorsese responded to the controversy his 1988 epic religious drama directorial The Last Temptation of Christ sparked after its release. According to reports, the film received criticism for the supposed depiction of mortal Jesus, and many other facets of the projects sparked outrage. He shared:
“Of all the things that come out: anti-semitic! I was totally shocked by this tum. I couldn’t believe it. I mean, if they have problems with a businessman trying to make money, then he’s a “businessman”! He’s not “Jewish.” It’s disgusting. Obviously, it just shows them for what they are. And even Rev. Hymers later apologized for his tactics.”
The Departed film director continued,
“But the whole point of the movie is that nobody is to blame, not even the Romans. It’s all part of the plan. Otherwise, it’s insane. I mean, the Jewish people give us God, and we persecute them for 2000 years for it!”
Martin Scorsese-directed, The Last Temptation of Christ film featured a stellar cast ensemble, including Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Harry Dean Stanton, David Bowie, Steve Shill, Verna Bloom, and Roberts Blossom. Despite the controversies and fuss attached to this project, Scorsese earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Director and received positive reviews from critics.
Source: Film Comment
