Scorsese’s ‘Aldeas’ spotlights Pope Francis

A Legendary Director Meets the Pope

Martin Scorsese and Pope Francis joined forces to create a powerful documentary called Aldeas. Their film reveals how storytelling can bridge cultures and inspire hope across the globe.

The Pope believed cinema can heal conflicts by sharing our common humanity. Scorsese calls it a beautiful way to “listen deeply across cultures” through creative expression.

A Visionary Partnership

Martin Scorsese and Pope Francis bring together two powerful voices focused on identity, morality, and connection. Their work on Aldeas builds on years of talks, including a key 2023 meeting where they agreed on film’s power to unite people.

The documentary captures their final on-camera talks, revealing how both see storytelling as a sacred way to heal and bring understanding across cultures.

Scorsese’s Exploration of Faith

Scorsese, known for films like The Last Temptation of Christ and Silence, has long explored themes of faith and doubt. He sees Aldeas as a natural step in his journey to understand how people view the world around them.

This project continues his deep dive into human experience, using film to explore belief, identity, and the stories that shape us all.

What Is Scholas Occurrentes?

Founded by Pope Francis in 2013, Scholas Occurrentes is a worldwide network of schools. It transforms education by encouraging students to solve problems through art and dialogue, not just textbooks.

Operating in 190 countries, it focuses on empowering marginalized youth. Its mission is to “build a culture of encounter” that unites diverse communities.

Aldeas: Filming Life’s Real Stories

The Aldeas project gives cameras to communities so they can tell their own stories, their way. Young filmmakers in Indonesia, Italy, and Gambia create films about their traditions and daily challenges.

Scorsese’s documentary captures these creative journeys alongside intimate conversations with Pope Francis. Together, they show how storytelling connects hearts worldwide.

Indonesia’s Story of Nature and Tradition

In Indonesia, young filmmakers explore the tension between traditional customs and modernity. Teenagers filmed a heartfelt story about protecting forests and rivers. Elders shared ancient wisdom about caring for the environment.

Their film explores the delicate balance between preserving tradition and adapting to modern life. Scorsese praised their work as “raw, honest, and deeply moving.”

Italy’s Journey Through Migration

In Polizzi Generosa, Sicily, young filmmakers explored their ancestors’ migration to America, drawing parallels between Scorsese’s Sicilian ancestry and contemporary struggles for identity. They connected past struggles to today’s search for identity and belonging.

Scorsese helped them capture emotional family histories. Their film includes rare photos and personal stories.

Gambia’s Folklore Reimagined

Gambian youth creatively reinterpreted post-colonial narratives by reimagining local folklore through a modern lens, blending ancestral wisdom with today’s realities. Local elders worked closely with them to ensure the stories remained authentic and deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.

One powerful short film used traditional dance to express themes of identity and resilience. Pope Francis praised it as “art that heals and inspires,” highlighting its emotional and cultural impact.

Pope Francis’ Final Film Interview

At the heart of Aldeas is Pope Francis’ final full on-camera interview, filmed as his health declined. He speaks openly about life, death, and the power of storytelling to bring people together across differences.

Calling the project a “journey,” not a fix, he urges viewers to face conflict with compassion. Scorsese’s thoughtful questions explore how art can heal and inspire hope in a divided world.

Youth Take Control Behind the Camera

Aldeas pairs the Pope’s reflections with the raw energy of young creators at work. Teens wrote scripts, acted, and edited films—many using cameras for the first time—capturing scenes from Indonesian forests to Sicilian migration tales.

Scorsese’s crew taught basics but let youth lead, resulting in authentic, unscripted moments. The film highlights how personal stories, when told fearlessly, can challenge stereotypes and reshape mainstream narratives.

Scorsese’s Intimate Filmmaking Style

In Aldeas, Scorsese shifts from his usual cinematic flair to a quiet, intimate style. Close-ups capture the raw emotion of workshop moments, while wide shots of Sicilian hills and Gambian rivers reveal the quiet beauty of daily life.

He skips narration, letting participants tell their own stories in their own words. This approach reflects Scholas’ belief in student-led learning and trust in authentic voices to guide the narrative.

Respecting Every Culture’s Voice

Local leaders and elders played a key role in shaping the stories told in Aldeas. In Gambia, elders reviewed scripts to correct historical inaccuracies and ensure cultural traditions were portrayed respectfully and truthfully.

Scorsese called this process “ethical storytelling,” where the people being filmed have real control. Rather than directing, outsiders offered support—helping communities tell stories that truly reflect their lives and heritage.

Classrooms Without Walls

Scholas swaps desks for dynamic spaces like film sets and community workshops. Through hands-on projects, students build teamwork, empathy, and real-world problem-solving skills in ways textbooks can’t offer.

Teachers say the approach sparks deeper engagement and critical thinking. As one put it, “They debate real-life issues instead of memorizing facts”—and it’s showing results.

Growing Aldeas Worldwide

While Aldeas is a powerful film, its true goal is to spark a worldwide movement. Scholas plans to bring the Aldeas workshops to 50 countries by 2030, using the documentary as a teaching tool.

Early results show better school engagement and more conversations between generations. Still, funding hurdles and political pushback in some areas pose challenges to expanding this creative, community-driven model.

Pope Francis’ Final Words on Aldeas

Before his passing, Pope Francis called Aldeas “an extremely poetic and very constructive project.” He said it digs deep into the roots of human life, sociability, and the conflicts we all face.

He described the film as capturing “the essence of a life’s journey,” showing how storytelling connects us through our shared struggles and hopes.

Expanding Cultural Hubs

The short films will debut in new local cinemas, creating lasting spaces for culture and learning. These hubs will serve communities as centers for creative expression and education.

Aldeas — A New Story and the Aldeas movement are funded by international donors. All proceeds go back into growing the project worldwide, with behind-the-scenes footage showing Pope Francis and Scorsese’s private talks.

Stars speak out with love and sorrow—see how celebrities are honoring Pope Francis.

If you enjoyed this overview, don’t forget to drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.