Martin Scorsese’s New Movie Will be a Documentary on Old Italian Shipwrecks
Martin Scorsese is gearing up for a new project that will see him return to his ancestral hometown. He’s working on a documentary about ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea. This fascinating venture will take him to Polizzi Generosa, a quaint town on the island of Sicily, where his paternal grandparents hailed from.
Currently, the film is untitled but it’s based on research by Lisa Briggs, an archaeologist and professor at Cranfield University in England. Using Briggs’ findings, the documentary will delve into DNA analysis of various artefacts recovered from shipwreck sites. This will reveal intriguing details about the ships, their cargo, and hopefully, the stories of the sailors who were on board.
Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Sicily’s councillor for cultural heritage, expressed his excitement about the project. Speaking to the Italian news agency ANSA, he mentioned that the authorities are offering full support by making relevant sites and archaeological parks accessible for the documentary’s production.
The film will be shot along the Sicilian coast, featuring locations like the port city of Trapani, the ancient Phoenician colony of Mozia and Polizzi Generosa. This small town, nestled in the Madonie mountains with a population of just over 3,000, is not only Scorsese’s familial birthplace but also the hometown of Domenico Dolce, co-founder of Dolce & Gabbana.
While the release date remains under wraps, sources have hinted to Variety that filming is set to begin this summer. Chad A. Verdi, known for his work on ‘The Irishman,’ will be joining the production team.
