Martin Scorsese to Honor Pope Francis With ‘Aldeas — A New Story’ Documentary, Featuring His Last On-Camera Interview

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Martin Scorsese is set to pay tribute to the late Pope Francis by creating “Aldeas – A New Story,” an extensive feature-length documentary and global cultural initiative, which was originally established by Scholas Occurrentes, a worldwide education project initiated by the Pope himself.

Aldeas – A New Narrative” is grounded in Pope Francis’ conviction that creativity holds a sacred value. The film documents the efforts of Scholas Occurrentes’ latest “Aldeas” cinema project, which combines education, movie production, and community development to realize some of the key themes of his papacy: cultivating a culture of encounter from the outskirts, celebrating the richness of human diversity, and promoting unity in a world torn apart by division.

In my viewpoint, this compelling documentary includes the Pope’s last extensive on-screen interview specifically for cinema, captured uniquely for “Aldeas — A New Story.

Speaking before his passing, Pope Francis expressed that the ‘Aldeas’ project is exceptionally poetic and remarkably beneficial as it delves deeply into the fundamental aspects of human existence, interpersonal relationships, societal disagreements, and the core essence of one’s life path.

Scorsese emphasized: “Now, it’s crucial than ever before that we engage in dialogue, listen to different perspectives cross-culturally. One effective approach is by narrating our own stories, stemming from our personal lives and encounters. This aids us in comprehending and appreciating how each of us perceives the world. It was essential for Pope Francis that people worldwide exchange ideas with mutual respect while maintaining their unique cultural identities. Cinema, I believe, is the optimal method to achieve this.

Three countries – Indonesia, Gambia, and Italy – are among the pioneers joining the Aldeas initiative, where they’ll produce short films about their unique stories. These films will be incorporated into “Aldeas — A New Story.” This project empowers communities to share their narratives and safeguard their cultural heritage. By doing so, it underscores the idea that creativity serves not only as a medium for self-expression but also offers a route towards hope and transformation.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’m thrilled to announce that the short films we’ve been waiting for will debut in our brand new community cinemas. These cinemas not only provide a platform for these stories to be told but also serve as enduring centers for cultural exchange and learning. The captivating “Aldeas — A New Story” film, along with the Scholas Occurrentes’ Aldeas movement, are independently funded by international benefactors and contributors. This means that every penny earned from these films will be funneled back into growing this initiative worldwide. What makes these shorts even more intriguing is the inclusion of exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, intertwined with previously undisclosed discussions between Pope Francis and Scorsese.

The production ‘Aldeas-A New Story’ comes from Aldeas Scholas Films, joined by Sikelia Productions and Massive Owl Productions.”

Or simply:

“‘Aldeas-A New Story’ is a collaboration between Aldeas Scholas Films, Sikelia Productions, and Massive Owl Productions.

In addition to Scorsese, “Aldeas — A New Story” is produced by Teresa Leveratto, Ezequiel del Corral, and Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Lisa Frechette, Romilda de Luca, Ariel Tcach, and Ariel Broitman serve as executive producers. Clare Tavernor and Johnny Shipley, along with Amy Foster from Massive Owl Productions, head the creative team. Ellen Kuras and Salvatore Totino are involved in the film’s cinematography.

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2025-05-01 00:19