"Martin Scorsese is set to produce a new documentary, titled 'Aldeas - A New Story', in collaboration with Pope Francis"
Martin Scorsese Unveils Documentary with Late Pope Francis, Chronicling His Global Educational Movement
Prepare yourself for an unprecedented cinematic journey, folks! The one and only, Martin Scorsese, is producing a documentary like no other - a feature-length film titled "Aldeas - A New Story."
This monumental project, developed by Scholas Occurrentes - the global educational movement founded by the late Pope Francis, focuses on the pontiff's lasting impact on cinema and sociability. Tragically, Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2013, at the age of 88, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Scorsese and Pope Francis had an extraordinary bond, and their conversations often inspired Scorsese’s work, notably in his controversial yet celebrated 1988 film, "The Last Temptation of Christ," and his 2016 film, "Silence," which eloquently depicted the trials faced by Portuguese Jesuit missionaries in 17th-century Japan.
On Pope Francis' passing, Scorsese shared his sorrow, stating, "The loss for me runs deep – I was lucky enough to know him, and I will miss his presence and his warmth. The loss for the world is immense. But he left a light behind, and it can never be extinguished."
Stay tuned for this profound cinematic collaboration! “Aldeas - A New Story" will showcase the final on-camera interview with the Pope, filmed specifically for the documentary.
Before his demise, Pope Francis expressed his enthusiasm for the film, stating, "'Aldeas' is an extremely poetic and very constructive project because it goes to the roots of what human life is, human sociability, human conflicts... the essence of a life's journey."
Scorsese himself had these insightful words to share: "Now, more than ever, we need to talk to each other, listen to one another cross-culturally. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by sharing the stories of who we are, reflected from our personal lives and experiences. It helps us understand and value how each of us sees the world. It was important to Pope Francis for people across the globe to exchange ideas with respect while also preserving their cultural identity, and cinema is the best medium to do that."
Regrettably, a release date for the film has yet to be announced. But mark your calendars, folks, because this is one documentary you won't want to miss!
** Fun Fact**: Did you know that "Aldeas - A New Story" will be featuring short films created by participants of the Scholas-affiliated Aldeas Initiative in Italy, Gambia, and Indonesia? The project's main focus is on storytelling as a means to foster empathy and inspire community transformation.
[1] Enrichment Insights: The documentary "Aldeas, a New Story" was announced on April 30, 2025, although a specific release date is not yet disclosed. The film showcases the pope's final in-depth on-camera interview and highlights short films created by participants of the Scholas-affiliated Aldeas Initiative in various countries. The project emphasizes storytelling as a tool for empathy and community transformation.
- Martin Scorsese, renowned director, is collaborating with Scholas Occurrentes, the educational movement founded by the late Pope Francis, to produce a documentary titled "Aldeas - A New Story."
- The documentary will be featuring the pope's final on-camera interview, filmed specifically for this project, and short films created by participants of the Scholas-affiliated Aldeas Initiative in various countries.
- Scorsese expressed the importance of cross-cultural communication and shared storytelling to foster empathy and inspire community transformation, stating that cinema is an effective medium to achieve this.
- The film, focused on Pope Francis' lasting impact on cinema and sociability, serves as a testament to the pope's enduring influence and his vision for promoting global understanding and embracing cultural diversity.
