Daniel Day-Lewis breaks from retirement to honour Martin Scorsese at the National Board of Review Awards

After a whirlwind year for the film industry, Martin Scorsese’s Osage epic Killers of the Flower Moon won top honours at the 95th National Board Review Awards (NBR). In awards announced earlier but distributed on Thursday, Killers of the Flower Moon was board’s choice for best film, along with best director for Scorsese and best actress for Lily Gladstone.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night, Daniel Day-Lewis—who retired from acting after starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread—has since largely avoided public life. Day-Lewis sat with Scorsese during the fete at Cipriani's, a banquet hall in New York’s Midtown Manhattan, before presenting the directing award.

“I was a teenager when I discovered Martin’s work,” Day-Lewis remarked.

“With a light of his own making he illuminated unknown worlds that pulsed with a dangerous, irresistible energy — worlds that were mysterious to me and utterly enthralling. He illuminated the vast beautiful landscape of what is possible in film and he clarified for me what it is that one must ask of one self to work in faith.”

Day-Lewis—who starred in Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated films The Age of Innocence (1993) and Gangs of New York (2002)—spoke fondly of his work with the director, expressing that it was “one of the greatest joys and unexpected privileges” of his life.

As Scorsese took the stage to accept the award, he returned the praise, calling working with Day-Lewis “one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

“Maybe there’s time for one more,” Scorsese quipped as the audience gasped at the prospect. At the side of the stage, Day-Lewis affably returned Scorsese’s comment with a smile as he held out his hands.