Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese is known for bestowing the cinematic world with some iconic works. A legend in his own time, Martin Scorsese’s name alone ignites a fire of anticipation in audiences. Fresh off the triumph of his sprawling saga, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Scorsese finds himself drowning in a sea of exciting prospects. Topping the list and set to dive in first is a documentary exploring the watery graves of the ancient Mediterranean.
What new can be expected from Martin Scorsese’s upcoming underwater film?
Martin Scorsese, the 81-year-old maestro, seems to have found his true home behind the lens. Choosing a single masterpiece from his vast filmography is a near-impossible feat for fans, and with his upcoming projects, the struggle for a favorite is about to become gloriously agonizing. The director’s upcoming projects include the Life of Jesus film, a Marilynne Robinson adaptation, a Frank Sinatra biopic, an adaptation of David Grann’s “The Wager,” and, of course, the latest addition to his list: a documentary about ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea.
As per Variety, this project will return Scorsese to his ancestral roots of Polizzi Generosa in Sicily, where his grandparents were born. It is based on the studies of archaeologist Lisa Briggs. The project will explore her research using “scientific tools, including DNA analysis on artifacts recovered from ancient shipwreck sites, to reconstruct stories of ships, sailors, cargoes, and maritime trade in the ancient world.”
The news about the project was confirmed by the Italian outlet Ansa, where they mentioned that the preparation of the film has already been underway for over a year. They also included a quote from Sicily’s councilor for cultural heritage, Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, noting: “We welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm, making available all the sites, archaeological parks and museums pertaining to the department, considering the relevance of the project and the huge image return for the Sicily and its cultural heritage.”
The production of this documentary film is set to begin this summer. It will be shot above and underwater near Sicily, including the site of the Roman ship Marausa 2, which is a wreck of a large sunken ship dating to the third century A.D. Perhaps this filming also serves as preparation for his adaptation of “The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder,” which tells the true story of a British vessel wrecked off the coast of Patagonia.
As for the immediate future, Scorsese’s next project will begin on July 12 with the opening of “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger,” which he narrates, presents, and executive produces.
