Ben Wheatley’s new film Free Fire has been described as a brutally effective film and an irresistible adrenaline shot of cinema; this is perhaps unsurprising considering the talent behind it, particularly legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese who executive produced the film. In commemoration with Free Fire’s theatrical release, we have collected five pictures Scorsese was involved in but did not direct that readers may be unaware of.
Before the Flood (2016)
This documentary looks at the effect of climate change on our environment and what can be done to prevent the demise of endangered species, ecosystems and native communities across the planet. Whilst Leonardo Dicaprio’s starring role in the project makes Scorsese’s involvement somewhat unsurprising, it is still interesting to see him venture into such a timely subject matter and it is an essential addition to their extensive history of collaboration.
You Can Count on Me (2000)
Almost two decades before creating one of the most popular films of the most recent awards season in Manchester By The Sea, Kenneth Lonergan wrote and directed this critically acclaimed drama centred on a single mother whose life is thrown into turmoil after her young brother returns to town. As well as starring Matthew Broderick and Laura Linney it once again featured Scorsese as an executive producer. It was clearly a fruitful collaboration considering that Lonergan later served as a writer on Gangs of New York.
Life Itself (2014)
Besides his status as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Scorsese is also famous for his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema and its history. It therefore makes complete sense that he executive produced this documentary on the life and work of renowned film critic Roger Ebert. The two were strong supporters of each throughout their respective careers, with Scorsese lamenting that Ebert’s death was ‘an incalculable loss for movie culture and for film criticism.’
Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows (2007)
In this tribute to a series of memorable low budget horror films that Val Hewton created for RKO Studios, Scorsese not only produces but narrates. If his extensive involvement in this television documentary isn’t testament to his eclectic taste and devotion to the world of cinema, then what is?
Free Fire (2017)
This action-crime comedy is set in 1970s Boston, centres entirely around a shootout between two rival gangs in a warehouse and features an all-star cast including Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, Armie Hammer and many more. Ben Wheatley has been carving out an exciting and diverse film career for a number of years now, with films such as Kill List and Sightseers, and Free Fire only further cements his position as one of the best working directors around today. Here’s hoping for more collaborations between the two.
Free Fire is set for release on March 31st. Read our review here.
Originally published March 24, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
