Martin Scorsese: Contributions to the Film Industry

Martin Scorsese: Contributions to the Film Industry

By: Dustin R. Myhand

January 27, 2000

The journey through a life that portrays the pursuit of the American dream began on November 17, 1942. Martin Scorsese was born in Astoria, Queens, New York to parents Charles and Catherine Scorsese. The neighborhood he grew up in was rough. Even as strict and loving as the Scorseses were with their beloved son, it was hard to escape the “hit or be hit” environment.(Keyser p.xv) In 1950, the young Scorsese transferred from public school to St. Patrick’s Elementary School in New York’s Little Italy, where his parents had moved because of financial problems. In 1956, he entered Cathedral College only to transfer a year later to Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. Upon graduation he entered New York University where he met Professor Haig Manoogian who inspired him to become a film maker. While studying there his short film What’s a Nice Girl like You Doing in a Place like This? received critical acclaim. After teaching film courses and attending graduate school his short film The Big Shave was screened at the Sixth New York Film Festival.(Keyser 1-3) This certainly got the ball rolling as he had several short films shown at following New York Film Festivals. In the years to follow he would become one of the most accomplished and controversial filmmakers in history.(Friedman 112)

Martin Scorsese’s films all have their own individual meaning , but he always attacks unsvory, unredeeming characters and immoral subject matter. This is the main reason why he has not won an Oscar for his work. Some of the more controversial subjects include the mafia, rape and infidelity. Perhaps the most controversial of his films is The Last Temptation of Christ, a look at the humanity of Jesus Christ. The film caused a huge ruckus in 1988 but Scorsese was nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards. Scorsese also remade the classic Cape Fear in 1991. It was met...