Martin Scorsese's plea to experience The Irishman beyond your phone screen

Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, known for his impactful contributions to cinema, made headlines with his emphatic stance on how audiences should experience his epic, The Irishman. As we revisit this moment from 2019, it's a reminder of the ongoing debate between traditional cinema and the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Scorsese's The Irishman, a three-and-a-half-hour-long mob saga, was released on Netflix, making it accessible worldwide. However, Scorsese urged viewers to avoid watching it on their phones. “Please, please don’t look at it on a phone, please. An iPad, a big iPad, maybe,” he implored during an interview with Peter Travers. This plea highlighted his belief in the sanctity of the cinematic experience, advocating for the immersive power of a theatre's big screen.

A stand against mobile viewing

In an era where mobile screens are increasingly becoming the norm for consuming content, Scorsese’s comments resonated with many in the film industry who fear the diminishment of cinema's traditional allure. "Ideally, I’d like you to go to a theater, look at it on a big screen from beginning to end," Scorsese expressed. His vision for The Irishman was not just about the narrative but also about the experience of being absorbed in the film's world, something he believed was compromised on smaller screens.

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Scorsese's stance was not just a preference but a call to preserve the essence of cinematic storytelling. He acknowledged the convenience of home viewing but emphasized making it an event – undisturbed and focused. This perspective reveals a deep understanding and respect for the art of filmmaking and the experience it aims to offer.

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The legacy of Martin Scorsese's views

Looking back, Scorsese's sentiments serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges and choices faced by filmmakers and audiences in the digital age. His advocacy for theater viewing over mobile screens is a testament to his dedication to preserving the integrity and impact of the cinematic experience.

As technology continues to evolve and streaming services become more prevalent, the debate over the ideal way to experience films like The Irishman persists. Martin Scorsese's views, however, remain a powerful argument for the magic of the movie theater and the unique experience it offers, something that small screens, no matter how convenient, might never fully replicate.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)