Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese recently shared that he once considered becoming a priest but was “kicked out” due to his “bad behavior.”
New Docuseries “Mr. Scorsese”
“Mr. Scorsese,” a new docuseries directed by Rebecca Miller, chronicles the life of this iconic director. The series premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 4.
In the first episode, which delves into Scorsese’s early years, he reflects on the substantial impact of religion during his childhood and young adult life. At just seven years old, Scorsese attended his first Catholic mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, an experience that inspired his pursuit of religious education for several years.
Journey into Religion
“There was a preparatory seminary, and that was on 85th Street somewhere. I did okay for the first few months, but something happened,” Scorsese recalls. His fascination with the world beyond the church soon emerged.
“I began to realize the world is changing,” he explains. “It was early rock and roll and the old world was dying out. I became aware of life around me—falling in love, being attracted to girls. Not that you’re acting out on it, but there were these feelings, and I suddenly realized it’s much more complicated than this. You can’t shut yourself off.”
Ultimately, Scorsese recognized that the priesthood wasn’t his calling. “The idea of priesthood, to devote yourself to others, really, that’s what it’s about. I realized I don’t belong there,” he shares. “And I tried to stay, but they got my father in there, and they told him, ‘Get him out of here.’ Because I behaved badly.”
Exploration of Curiosity
While the documentary does not specify the nature of Scorsese’s bad behavior, the themes permeating his films—sex, drugs, and violence—suggest a wide array of curiosities.
Instead of following a religious path, Scorsese earned a B.A. in English from New York University’s Washington Square College, later obtaining an M.A. from the University’s School of Education. He made his directorial debut in 1967 with “Who’s That Knocking at My Door,” marking the start of an illustrious career filled with influential films such as “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” “Gangs of New York,” and “The Irishman.”
Acclaim and Legacy
Having received ten Academy Award nominations for Best Director, Scorsese won his first Oscar in 2006 for “The Departed.”
“Mr. Scorsese” is set to be released on October 17 and comprises five episodes. The series features interviews with Scorsese, his family, and notable contemporaries, including Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Robbie Robertson, Thelma Schoonmaker, Steven Spielberg, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster, Paul Schrader, Margot Robbie, and Cate Blanchett, among others.