My interactions with Satyajit Ray are memories I treasure: Martin Scorsese
American film-maker Martin Scorsese needs no introduction. In his 50-year career, Scorsese’s films have won a total of 20 Academy Awards across various categories, including the Best Director award in 2006 for The Departed.
Scorsese has had a close relationship with the Indian film industry. Talking about film-maker Anurag Kashyap, Scorsese says, “He (Anurag Kashyap) sent me a couple of his films, and I loved them. I remember sending him a letter as well after it. I met him at a film festival a couple of years ago.” The Raging Bull (1980) director also has long been a big fan of two Indian legends — film-maker
Satyajit Ray (inset), and dancer Uday Shankar for his classic movie Kalpana (1948).
“I’m totally in awe of the movie Kalpana. It’s a genuine dance film. In other words, a film, which is not just about dance, but there is dance in movement, composition and energy,” Scorsese says. “I‘m also a big fan of Satyajit Ray’s body of work. The few interactions I had with Ray are memories I treasure.”
Jumping from movies to politics, Hollywood has been quite vocal in its distaste of Donald Trump. What’s your take on him? “Trump is a hatchet-wielding gang leader. I’m stunned and anxious at the same time. There’s a great deal of anger, and till the time there’s no mass revolt, the agitation will multiply.”
Anurag Kashyap sent me a couple of his films, and I loved them. I remember sending him a letter after it. MARTIN SCORSESE, FILM-MAKER