Martin Scorsese is a legendary film-maker, having brought us so many undeniably great films over the years such as GoodFellas, The King of Comedy, The Departed, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Shutter Island... the list goes on and on. The director had a few words to say at the Marrakech Film Festival, in which he briefly said he'd love to keep making films, but at the tender age of 71 he'll be retiring very soon. Or as Martin put it "Yes, I have the desire to make many films, but as of now I'm 71 and there's only a couple more left if I get to make them". The director also had the following to say...
"I miss the time when I had the desire to experiment and try different kinds of films, I miss that time, but that’s done, it’s over. There is obligation as you get older, you have family. I’ve been very lucky in the last 10 years or so, to have found projects that combine the desire, the subject matter—from 'The Aviator' to now—with, as best I can, fulfilling the obligation to my family and the financiers"
"I miss the time when I had the desire to experiment and try different kinds of films, I miss that time, but that’s done, it’s over. There is obligation as you get older, you have family. I’ve been very lucky in the last 10 years or so, to have found projects that combine the desire, the subject matter—from 'The Aviator' to now—with, as best I can, fulfilling the obligation to my family and the financiers"
He also had a little to say about Leonardo DiCapiro's role in his career...
"He regenerated my enthusiasm for making films. Mainly because, as you get older, it gets physically difficult and also the business especially – the financial issues. You’re responsible for a lot of money, if you get it. It’s all pressure, but can you do it? His enthusiasm and excitement really kept me going, for another five pictures now."
It'll be sad to see the iconic auteur go, but Scorsese does have a point. He's in his winter years now, and he's made more than enough memorable and fantastic films over the years. His new film The Wolf of Wall Street will more than likely join that list, alongside the possible adaptation of Silence that Scorsese is still attached too. He'll be sorely missed by film fans everywhere, but to say he hasn't earned some rest and private time would be a lie.