Martin Scorsese is teaming up with longtime collaborator Paul Schrader once again, joining Schrader’s upcoming drama The Basics of Philosophy as an executive producer. The reunion comes just weeks before the film is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Written and directed by Schrader, The Basics of Philosophy follows a philosophy professor whose life is shaken when a person connected to a guilt-ridden decision from his past unexpectedly returns. The film continues Schrader’s exploration of his signature “man in a room” stories, a style that dates back to his screenplay for Scorsese’s Taxi Driver.
According to Deadline, Scorsese has officially joined the project as an executive producer, while Noora Films has come aboard to handle international sales. The collaboration marks another chapter in the filmmakers’ long-running creative partnership.
Schrader wrote several of Scorsese’s most acclaimed films of the 1970s and 1980s, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Last Temptation of Christ. Scorsese previously served as an executive producer on one of Schrader’s films, 2021’s The Card Counter.
The Basics of Philosophy Cast and Story
Jack Huston leads the film as Dr. John Jorrisen, the philosophy professor at the center of the story. The cast also features Sofia Boutella, Daniel Zovatto, Bill Pullman, Dana Delany, Shiloh Fernandez, Karl Glusman, and Elizabeth Petruso.
The movie is the latest entry in Schrader’s recurring exploration of isolated and morally conflicted protagonists. His “man in a room” cycle also includes First Reformed, The Card Counter, and Master Gardener, all of which examine characters confronting guilt, morality, and personal crises.
The Basics of Philosophy is produced by Braxton Pope through his Film Maudit banner, alongside David Wulf of Redline Entertainment. In addition to Scorsese, the executive producing team includes Steven Demmler, Santosh Govindaraju, Franklin Laviola, Nicholas Laviola, Jeff Rice, Brando Eaton, Richie Walls, Landon Ash, Joel Michaely, Kyle Stroud, and Francis Chapman.
Noora Films’ Pia Patatian described the project as an ambitious film with strong international appeal, expressing excitement about working with Schrader again and supporting the movie ahead of its festival debut.
The Basics of Philosophy will have its world premiere out of competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2026.
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