Scorsese to do film on British cinema history

Director Martin Scorsese, who has been nominated for an Oscar for his Gangs of New York, is to turning his attentions to British cinema for his next project.

He is to write, direct, narrate and produce a feature film-length documentary, The History of the British Cinema, for distribution around the world by the Walt Disney Co-owned Miramax, which collaborated with him on Gangs of New York.

Described by the Hollywood Reporter as a personal journey through British cinema, the documentary will look at the films that have influenced Scorsese, particularly the works of directors David Lean and Alexander Korda.

“This is another example of Marty’s true love of cinema,” said Miramax executive Colin Vanes. “It is a pleasure and a privilege for us to be distributing what promises to be a truly incisive view of the British cinema that has influenced Marty.”