Francesca Scorsese recently directed an episode for her father’s Fox Nation series “Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints” focusing on Saint Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen who passed away at the young age of 15 due to leukemia. Acutis, known as the first millennial saint, was canonized in 2015 for his devout Catholic faith and promotion of religion on the internet.
During the filming process, Francesca was faced with a difficult decision regarding whether to film Acutis’ preserved body, which is displayed in a glass coffin in Assisi, Italy. She found it unsettling to film the young boy, as he appeared perfectly preserved with a silicone mask covering his face. Ultimately, Francesca decided to use minimal stock footage of Acutis’ body to maintain the peace and respect of the sacred space.
Growing up in a religious household, Francesca had a strong Catholic upbringing, participating in communion, confirmation, and attending church regularly. However, her faith began to waver in her teenage years, especially as she witnessed her mother’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. This struggle led her to question the presence of God in the face of suffering and adversity.
Despite her personal journey with faith, Francesca has pursued a career in directing and acting, with credits in short films and the HBO series “We Are Who We Are.” Collaborating with her father on TikTok videos that went viral, Francesca has now taken on the challenge of directing an episode of “Saints” for Fox Nation.
While filming the episode, Francesca received feedback from her father, who serves as the series narrator and executive producer. She valued his input and guidance throughout the process, leading to a successful collaboration on the project. Reflecting on her position as a “nepo-baby,” Francesca acknowledges the privilege of her opportunity and is committed to doing her best.
Despite initial hesitations about working on a Fox Nation project, Francesca recognizes the importance of bringing Acutis’ story to a wider audience. She plans to continue directing projects that resonate with her personal experiences, including a dark comedy short about her mother’s childhood in Paris.
As the holiday season approaches, the Scorsese family plans to celebrate Christmas Eve at home with a traditional dinner and gift exchange. On New Year’s Eve, they will gather at Martin Scorsese’s office to watch a movie, enjoy champagne, and witness the fireworks on TV. The family looks forward to spending quality time together and creating lasting memories during the festive season.
