Aruba International Film Festival

Thelma Schoonmaker on Martin Scorsese: interview

Three time Academy Award winner for editing Thelma Schoonmaker in an up-close-and-personal interview about what it has been like to work alongside Martin Scorses for over 40 years. She has worked on films ike Raging Bull, The Departed and Casino.

First, Thelma started off by saying how happy she was to be in Aruba. She lived in Aruba until she was 15 and all she remembers of the island is a dreamlike image of pristine beaches and coconuts. Hmmm, that isnt too far off from the reality of this veritable paradise.

Thelma chuckled when she recounted the fact that she never intended to go into cinema, that it was in fact a mistake. She used to teach and once upon a time, editing had been a "myterious craft" to her. Well, apparently not anymore as she has won 3 Academy Awards for best editing!!!

When asked about how difficult it is to work with a visionary like Scorsese, she replied: "Great geniuses need a great deal of support." She explains that he is the best editor of his films and that she doesnt fight him, she merely works with him and remains a very patient woman. She smiled and excalimed, "It's great to be working with a genius!... After all, I can't complain...I work for the best director in the world!"

Interviewer Kaleem Aftab asked, "Well, if he is such a genius, why are you the one with all the Oscars?" Everyone laughed, including Kaleem and she replied, "When I received the Oscar for Raging Bull, I waited for them to call Martin's name afterwards. But they never did. So, in a way I felt it was his win and not mine. And I've never felt the same way about my Oscar since he didnt win."

check the video interview.

http://www.fest21.com/en/video/interview_with_3_times_oscar_winner_thelma_schoonmaker

Article by Vanessa McMahon