Francesca Scorsese Discusses Directing ‘Saints’ Without Her Father’s Influence
Francesca Scorsese recently directed an episode of the Fox Nation series titled “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints,” focusing on the life of Saint Carlo Acutis. Acutis was a devoted Catholic who passed away from leukemia at just 15 years old in 2006. Known as the first millennial saint, he was canonized in 2015.
Francesca Scorsese’s Directorial Approach
While directing, Francesca struggled with the decision to film Acutis’s body, which is displayed in a glass coffin in Assisi, Italy. She found it disturbing because of Acutis’s youth and opted to use minimal stock footage instead. “It just feels so wrong,” she stated regarding the filming choice.
A Childhood Shaped by Faith
Francesca grew up in a religious environment, participating in significant rites such as her communion and confirmation. Her father, renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, often read the Bible to her at bedtime. However, her faith began to wane during her teenage years, particularly due to her mother Helen’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease. This experience led her to question the existence of suffering in the world.
Career and Family Connections
Francesca has previously directed three short films and is known for her role in HBO’s “We Are Who We Are.” Recently, she garnered online attention along with her father through viral TikTok videos. For the “Saints” episode, she communicated daily with Martin, who is also the series narrator and executive producer. Although she acknowledged the privilege of having a well-known father, she expressed a desire to prove herself in the industry.
Facing Industry Challenges
Francesca reflected on her hesitations regarding working with Fox Nation, given its political implications. Despite her concerns, she recognized that Fox was the only network willing to support the project, and she chose to move forward with it, motivated by her father’s approval.
Upcoming Projects and Family Traditions
In the near future, Francesca plans to direct a short film titled “Adults,” which will explore her mother’s childhood in Paris. This film is described as a father-daughter story. During the holiday season, the Scorsese family will gather for dinner and gift exchanges on Christmas Eve. They plan to ring in the New Year by watching a movie at Martin Scorsese’s office and enjoying fireworks on television.
- Saint Carlo Acutis: Canonized in 2015, died at 15 in 2006.
- Francesca Scorsese’s directing experience includes three shorts.
- Upcoming project: “Adults,” a short film about her mother’s childhood.
