Culture news It took over 20 years for Martin Scorsese to bring this spectacular film starring Leonardo DiCaprio to life, it’s out tonight and you don’t want to miss it
Tonight, at 8:55 p.m. on Arte, don’t miss a captivating work by Martin Scorsese, a project that took more than two decades to complete. With Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis starring, this film is one to discover or rediscover!
Among Martin Scorsese’s unforgettable works, “Gangs of New York” which was released in 2002 stands out for many reasons: more than 20 years of creation, ultra-known headliners and almost three hours of film. It will be broadcast this Monday April 22, 2024 at 8:55 p.m. on Arte! This film transports us to 19th century New York through an impressive and captivating historical fresco. The star-studded cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis and Liam Neeson.
Careful preparation
Started towards the end of the 70s, the film “Gangs of New York” encounters fairly significant budget problems. Wishing to adapt the novel by Herbert J. Asbury, of the same name, the work is expensive and too few production companies agree to take the risk. It was not until the end of the 90s that the Miramax company placed its trust in the American filmmaker. The feature film was released in American theaters on December 20, 2002 and was nominated ten times for the 2003 Oscars. Martin Scorsese won the Golden Globe for best director that year.
But that’s not all ! In addition to the director’s work, some actors have had to develop skills they never thought they would have to learn like knife throwing for Leonardo DiCaprio, or some combat techniques of the time for Daniel Day-Lewis. The long months of training allowed them to achieve a remarkable performance, in this former New York filmed in Italy.
New York in the 19th century, what does that look like?
The year is 1846, New York. One neighborhood gets talked about a lot: Five Points. It is the scene of a fierce clan struggle between the “Dead Rabbits”, a group of Irish immigrants led by Father Vallon, and the “Natives”, an American gang led by the formidable Bill the Butcher. After a violent confrontation, Bill kills Vallon and allies with a corrupt police officer to dominate the neighborhood. Years later, Vallon’s son Amsterdam managed to infiltrate Bill’s gang, becoming his right-hand man. He nourishes his desire to avenge the death of his father, but the film’s twists and turns won’t always be in its favor.