Martin Scorsese making documentary about old Italian shipwrecks

Martin Scorsese is set to shoot a new film which will see him return to the small town from where his family originated.

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The filmmaker is reportedly working on a documentary about ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea. The documentary will take Scorsese to Polizzi Generosa, a small town on the island of Sicily, where his paternal grandparents were born.

Currently untitled, the film is reportedly based on research by archaeologist and professor at Cranfield University in England, Lisa Briggs. With Briggs’ research, the documentary will analyse DNA on various artifacts recovered from shipwreck sites, revealing details about the ships and their cargo, as well as hopefully telling the stories of the sailors onboard.

As reported by Variety, Sicily’s councillor for cultural heritage, Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, told Italian news agency ANSA: “We’ve welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm.”

He also shared how Sicily’s authorities are “making all pertinent site and archaeological parks available, considering the relevance of the project.”

According to Variety, the documentary will be shot on and around the coast of Sicily, including the port city of Trapani, the ancient Phonicican colony of Mozia, and the small town of Polizzi Generosa. Situated within the Madonie mountains, and with a population of just over 3000, it is the birthplace of Scorsese’s grandparents, Teresa and Francesco.

Polizzi Generosa is also the birthplace of Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Domenico Dolce.

Little is known about a release date for the documentary, however, some sources have revealed to Variety that “shooting is expected to start this summer”, and that joining the production team will be The Irishman’s Chad A. Verdi.

In other news, last month Scorsese’s long-time collaborator Paul Schrader, shared that the director’s dog once bit off a part of his thumb and ate it.

The Taxi Driver screenwriter shared: “He has a Scottie, which is a problematic dog. It was his daughter’s dog. He doesn’t like the dog, but they have to keep him and blah, blah, blah.

The Scottie not only took out part of my thumb, he ate it.”

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