Inherent to the cinematic creative process is a trust and partnership between the actor and the director. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro have worked together on multiple films across the last several decades making them the most formidable actor/director duo in the biz. This year, the Tribeca Film Festival hosted a panel of the two men swapping stories about the films they have made together. They discuss selected specific films while screening clips to the audience that exemplify their notes on each. Both are long-winded talkers, yet they speak the language of cinema better than anyone.
It is hard, though, to limit Scorsese’s career to only in his work with De Niro. There is a brief return to the world of The Wolf of Wall Street as the only non-De Niro film discussed. Leonardo DiCaprio was in attendance to the panel, in “hiding,” until Papa Scorsese called him out. Also, discussed is how DiCaprio became the third wheel to the Scorsese/De Niro partnership. As a young kid he impressed De Niro as an up-and-comer to watch during the production of This Boy’s Life. The trio have not officially made a film together, but did have an outing, along with Brad Pitt in a short called, The Audition.
Scorsese and De Niro are currently finalizing the highly anticipated, The Irishman, releasing on Netflix later this year. Next he will join DiCaprio again with their sixth film together, Killers of the Flower Moon, which will be produced and distributed by Paramount.
This conversation offers an incredible guide to how Scorsese and his leading actors have changed the way stories are told on screen. Watch the full panel from the festival above.
What’s your favorite Scorsese film? Share in the comments!
Featured Photo: Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro on the set of TAXI DRIVER (1976). Image courtesy of Sikelia Productions.
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