Scorsese on 'Why Marvel Movies Aren't Cinema'

"Il Maestro," by Martin Scorsese (Harper's Magazine, March 2021)"Opinion | Martin Scorsese: I Said Marvel Movies Aren’t Cinema. Let Me Explain." (The New York Times, November 4, 2019)a review of two essays by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. The first, "Il Maestro," is a deeply personal tribute to the legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, highlighting his artistic significance, his impact on Scorsese's own development as a filmmaker, and the enduring power of his work. The second, an opinion piece for The New York Times, elaborates on Scorsese's controversial statement that Marvel movies are not cinema, arguing that the current landscape of mass visual entertainment is marginalizing and devaluing true cinematic art. Across both pieces, Scorsese articulates a clear distinction between genuine cinema, characterized by artistic vision, risk-taking, revelation, and emotional depth, and the commercially driven "content" that dominates the modern media landscape. He emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating cinema as an art form and the need to share its history and treasures with new generations.