Martin Scorsese to be honoured with John Ford Award

Martin Scorsese will receive a top honour from Irish President Michael D. Higgins this weekend (25-26Feb17) on behalf of the Irish Film and Television Academy.
The Wolf of Wall Street director will be feted with the John Ford Award, which is named after The Grapes of Wrath filmmaker in honour of his legacy. The prize is presented to a world-renowned moviemaker in recognition of their body of work and the inspiration they have taken from Ford.
Scorsese, 74 will also be on hand to discuss his career at a Masterclass moderated by Northern Irish director Brian Kirk.
“To me and to so many directors, John Ford is a towering figure and continues to be a profound inspiration,” Scorsese says. “His films deftly convey his unique and acute sense of humanity; his deep understanding of people. When I first started watching his films, Ford’s force behind the camera was palpable. He was a visionary in the truest form and his films are enriched with artistic energy. I see his films often, studying them and each time, I learn something new.
“To be honoured by the Irish Film & Television Academy and to receive an award created in celebration of John Ford’s artistry and prestige has great personal significance for me.”
The award news comes a few days after it was reported Scorsese’s new film with Robert De Niro, The Irishman, will be heading to streaming service Netflix. The film is based on author Charles Brandt’s 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses, in which real-life union official-turned-mafia hitman Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran detailed his alleged murder of mafia leader Jimmy Hoffa. The book’s title refers to the criminal slang for contract killings.