SCORSESE at ACMI

After touring Europe to critical acclaim, SCORSESE the exhibition is the first to celebrate the indelible cinematic legacy of the prolific and passionate auteur, and ACMI proudly presents its exclusive showing in Australia.

SCORSESE the exhibition tells the director’s story via 600 objects including storyboards, hand annotated film scripts, unpublished production stills, costumes, film clips and more.

Exhibits have been drawn from Scorsese’s private collection, including the Scorsese family home, the Robert De Niro Collection and the Paul Schrader Collection at the Harry Ransom Centre, Sandy Powell and Brigitte Lacombe, culminating in an impressive narrative through recent cinema history that has already been adored by cinefiles and critics from Berlin to Ghent, Turin to Paris and now Melbourne.

A pre-recorded message from Martin Scorsese was played at the opening night in Melbourne. He described the exhibition as a great honour, and said,

‘Some of the objects you are going to see were literally taken off walls and shelves in my office and editing room…A lot of these things are very, very personal; things from my mother and father’s apartment…I’m really happy to know that a number of the movie posters that are rarely seen and usually in my poster cabinet are going to be on display because that’s what they’re really there for; to be seen…I hope that these objects, memorabilia, all of this, give you some sense of this lifelong passion I’ve had for the cinema and what it means to me.’

At once overwhelmed by the outstanding career of this remarkable talent, here are some of our insights from the exhibition;

A strong sense of family remains for life

Upon entering the exhibition footage from the 1974 documentary ItalianAmerican introduced us to the strong family unit that Scorsese grew up in. We learned that Scorsese’s parents often appeared in his films, with his Dad (formerly clothes presser) lending a hand in the wardrobe department for some of Scorsese’s gangster films.

Tales of brotherhood are a common theme throughout his films

Scorsese films often centre around storylines of brotherhood, whether by blood or mateship. Closeness, loyalty, disharmony and falling out.

Relationships can be a challenge

The unions between men and women in Scorsese films are often possessive and uneasy. And life?

Strong women are important in any story

Though Alice was his only film with a female lead, Martin Scorsese films produced some of the most memorable performances from his leading ladies including Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, Lorraine Cracco in Goodfellas, Michelle Pfeiffer in The Age of Innocence and Sharon Stone in Casino.

Forging lasting creative partnerships is important

Throughout his career, Scorsese has maintained lasting creative relationships with the likes of Robert de Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, cinematographer Michael Ballhaus, editor Thelma Schoonmaker and three-time Academy Award Winner costume designer Sandy Powell – exclusive to the Melbourne exhibition are five of her never before exhibited costumes from The Aviator, Hugo and Gangs of New York.

Costumes from The Aviator. Photo by The Garb Wire

Costume design for Hugo. Photo by The Garb Wire

Costume from Hugo. Photo by The Garb Wire

Robert de Niro wore this shirt when he played Jimmy Doyle in New York, New York

Robert de Niro and Sharon Stone in Casino

So many brilliant films, and no sign of slowing down

Martin Scorsese’s intense and exhilarating films define him as one of the most influential directors of our time. With over 60 director credits achieved in almost as many years, Scorsese’s range is extraordinary. His work includes the high octane (Raging Bull, Gangs of New York) thrillers (The Departed, Shutter Island), spiritual quests (The Last Temptation of Christ, Kundun), biographical dramas (The Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street), period adaptations (The Age of Innocence), adventure (Hugo), television (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and 2016 release Vinyl) and even a music video (Michael Jackson’s Bad).

SCORSESE the exhibition opens on Thursday 26 May to Sunday 18 September 2016 at ACMI.  10am to 5pm Saturday to Thursday and until 9pm on Fridays.

A program of film screenings, talks, live events and education programs complement the exhibition experience, along with an audio guide and an exhibition book (Martin Scorsese, Silvana Editoriale, RRP $80) both with commentary from Scorsese himself.

For more information please visit the ACMI website.

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SCORSESE is an exhibition conceived and organised by the Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum for Film and Television, Berlin.

The United States Consulate General are proud Program Partners in support of the exhibition.