Martin Scorsese reveals reason he didn’t pursue childhood dream to become a priest
Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese has revealed he initially planned to be a priest instead of a filmmaker.
Scorsese made the revelation in the upcoming five-part documentary series Mr Scorsese, which is set to arrive on Apple TV+ on October 17th, and is directed by Rebecca Miller.
In addition to featuring intimate interviews with Scorsese about his life, Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Robbie Robertson, Thelma Schoonmaker, Steven Spielberg, Sharon Stone, Jodie Foster, Paul Schrader, Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett, Jay Cocks and Rodrigo Priet also contribute.
In the first episode of the new Apple TV+ series, which recently premiered at the New York Film Festival, the legendary director explained how attending Catholic mass for the first time aged seven put him on the path to wanting to be a priest.
However, he then recalled (per Variety), “There was a preparatory seminary, and that was on 85th Street somewhere. I did okay for the first few months, but something happened.”
As he became older, Scorsese was able to witness the changing of the cultural guard, which steered him on a different path. “I began to realise the world is changing,” he said, before adding, “It was early rock and roll and the old world was dying out. I became aware of life around me. Falling in love or being attracted to girls, not that you’re acting out on it, but there were these feelings, and I suddenly realised it’s much more complicated than this. You can’t shut yourself off.”
The director also came to terms with the fact that he wasn’t committed enough to become a priest, candidly saying, “The idea of priesthood, to devote yourself to others, really, that’s what it’s about. I realised I don’t belong there.”
Ultimately, it was the Catholic Church that decided Scorsese that made the final call, with the director sharing, I tried to stay, but they got my father in there, and they told him, ‘Get him out of here.’ Because I behaved badly.”
While Scorsese didn’t delve into the details of his bad behaviour, it put him on the right path to fulfil his true destiny, and led him to New York University in the 1960s to embark on the first steps of his filmmaking journey.
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