Martin Scorsese (born November 17, 1942, Queens, New York, U.S.) is an acclaimed American filmmaker recognized for his intense and often violent portrayals of American culture. He stands as one of the most influential directors of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Since the 1970s, Scorsese has developed an ambitious and bold body of work that blends a cynicism toward contemporary culture with a deep passion for cinema. His films reflect this duality, combining harsh social commentary with a love for the art form.
In a 2018 essay for the Encyclopædia Britannica Anniversary Edition titled 250 Years of Excellence, Scorsese described his dedication to preserving the history of filmmaking since the 1970s. He successfully brought new attention to film preservation and stated:
“[i]n the future the memory of the actual film image will have to be preserved as carefully and lovingly as an ancient artifact at the Met.”
Martin Scorsese's work not only shapes the narrative of American cinema but also calls for careful preservation of its history for future generations.
Author’s summary: Martin Scorsese is a pioneering filmmaker whose bold movies critically reflect American culture, while passionately advocating for film preservation as an enduring art form.