What can come from the collision of the worlds of cinema and spirituality? Certainly something exceptional in its scale and message. Such an extraordinary project is “Aldeas – A New Story”. “Aldeas – A New Story”, the latest documentary by Martin Scorsese, tells a story that goes beyond the format of film. It is a record of the last, in-depth interview with Pope Francis.
Dialogue beyond divisions
The production, overseen by Scorsese and the Aldeas Scholas Film studio, is based on the activities of Scholas Occurrentes, an educational network founded by the pope in 2013 that promotes the so-called culture of encounter. The idea of this organization is to connect young people through shared learning, art and social activities. And all this regardless of origin, religion or social status.
Young creators, great stories
An important element of the film are short works by young directors from Italy, Gambia and Indonesia, participants of the Aldeas Initiative. Their stories, based on local realities, touch on the themes of identity, heritage and dreams. It is these that build the narrative tissue of the documentary – fresh, diverse and deeply moving.
Polish trace in Gambia – Robert Szustkowski’s involvement
Among the project partners, Robert Szustkowski, a Polish philanthropist and ambassador of the 5P Europe foundation, stands out. As a co-creator of the Gambian segment of the documentary, Szustkowski not only supported young creators, but also initiated a program to promote physical health among young people – a project personally accepted by Pope Francis during the summit of world leaders for children’s rights. As he himself emphasized, the key for him is “creating a world that releases the potential of young people and protects their dignity.”
A farewell that becomes a beginning
Pope Francis died shortly after filming ended, leaving behind a message in the film that can now be seen as his spiritual testament. In one of his last speeches, he called the project “deeply poetic and truly constructive” because, as he said, “it touches the roots of human experience: community, conflict, hope.”
Martin Scorsese, moved by his personal meeting with the Pope, emphasized his authenticity, warmth and unwavering will to understand others: “He knew that ignorance was the greatest threat to humanity. And he never stopped learning.”
A film that gives hope
Although the release date of “Aldeas – A New Story” is still unknown, the project is already gaining recognition as one of the most important documentaries of the coming decade. It is not just a story about the Pope – it is a multi-voice narrative about the need for empathy, dialogue and responsibility for the world we co-create. The film reminds us that art and education are not luxuries, but pillars of a better, more humane society.