"I am interested in how people perceive God, or the world of the intangible—all peoples, everywhere. But my path has always been that of Catholicism."
Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese is presenting a new series on the lives of the saints titled The Saints, which will premiere on Fox Nation on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
1. A Long-Held Dream Project
Scorsese has long envisioned a series on the saints, well before his controversial films like The Last Temptation of Christ or Silence. He explains:
"Perhaps the fact that there have been, and still are, saints is something lost on new generations. We no longer live with them. This series is an attempt to understand what faith is."
2. Seven Years of Preparation
In 2023, Scorsese visited the Irish Dominican order of San Clemente in Rome to deepen his understanding of faith. The project required seven years of reflection and production before being finalized.
3. Powerful Historical Imagery
The series includes period images and videos, notably on the life of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. It shows the priest leaving his home and poignant scenes of the Nazi invasion of Poland.
4. Content for a Mature Audience
Due to graphic violence and the harshness of the narratives (wars, martyrdoms), this series is intended for an adult audience. For example, the episode on Kolbe shows scenes of nudity related to his imprisonment at Auschwitz.
5. A Discussion After Each Episode
Each episode concludes with a panel discussion involving the controversial Jesuit priest Father James Martin (known for his LGBTQ activism), poet Mary Karr, and scholar Paul Elie.
6. The Childhood of Saints Highlighted
The series shows how several saints were called from childhood. In the episode on Kolbe, he is seen praying as the Virgin Mary appears to him with one white hand (purity) and one red hand (martyrdom).
7. A Respectful Portrayal of Joan of Arc
The episode dedicated to Joan of Arc subtly addresses the historical practice of examinations of her virginity. A poignant scene shows Joan asking a guard to make a cross before she is burned at the stake. However, the famous line, "Hold the cross high so that I may see it through the flames" is absent.
8. A Look at Dorothy Day
During a post-screening discussion, Scorsese spoke of Dorothy Day, who is on the path to canonization:
"She used to come to our youth center. Father Frank Principe told me, 'Look at that woman, she is truly good.' At the time, the Catholic Worker was one of the few places helping men and women dying in the streets."
9. Controversies Surrounding Kolbe
The series briefly addresses accusations of antisemitism against Kolbe. However, Jedrzej Giertych, author of Libel Against a Saint, asserts:
"Father Kolbe was not an enemy of the Jews. He saw them as souls created by God, for whom he constantly prayed."
10. A Scorsese in Dialogue with Faith
Asked by the New York Times about his current faith, Scorsese replied:
"At times, I am a practicing Catholic. My relationship with faith is a constant dialogue with certain priests and clergy."
11. A Future Film on the Life of Jesus
Scorsese, who will turn 82 on November 17, is working on a film titled A Life of Jesus. Inspired by a meeting with Pope Francis during a conference in 2023, he stated:
"I responded to the Pope's call to artists in the only way I know how: by imagining and writing a screenplay about the life of Jesus."
This series promises to be an ambitious and complex exploration of sanctity and Catholic faith, brought to life by one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of our time.
This article was originally published by the National Catholic Register (Article Link). It is republished and translated with the author's permission.