Conversations with Scorsese

“The street was a stage.”

Scorsese talks about those early days in Little Italy like they were a movie set. He saw things on the street that became scenes in Mean Streets years later.

“Movies were a matter of life and death.”

Every film feels like he is fighting for his life. He treats a bad review or a budget cut like a personal attack on his soul.

“Music is the movie.”

He obsesses over the music as much as the actors. He admits that some scenes only exist because he heard a specific song and had to see it.

“The camera is always an emotional participant.”

The camera moves because he feels it in his gut. It is never just for a cool shot. It tracks the character's internal panic or joy.