Cinema as spiritual quest
Martin Scorsese and religion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/1677-1222.2025vol25i1a7Keywords:
Religião. Cinema. Busca espiritual. Culpa. RedençãoAbstract
This article examines the relationship between religion and film, focusing on the work of Martin Scorsese. Building on the theories of John Lyden and S. Brent Plate, which compare cinematic experiences to myths and religious rituals, it investigates how Scorsese conceives film as a means of spiritual search. Through an analysis of Taxi Driver (1976) and Raging Bull (1980), themes such as violence, guilt, redemption, and transcendence are explored. The article also considers Scorsese’s Italian-American Catholic upbringing in Little Italy, New York, and how this background shapes his worldview and cinematic narratives. By treating film as a space for sacred experimentation, Scorsese crafts an aesthetic that engages with existential questions, offering a platform for spiritual and moral reflection. This study contributes to the understanding of the intersection between religion and film, demonstrating how film can articulate the search for meaning in a world shaped by violence and suffering.
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