Title: Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” Sheds Light on Injustice Against the Osage Nation
Subtitle: Apple TV Plus’ Historical Crime Drama Seeks to Expose the Violent Legacy of White Colonial Settlers
Date: [Insert Date]
In a groundbreaking new film, director Martin Scorsese aims to bring attention to the devastating violence inflicted upon the Indigenous people of North America, particularly the Osage Nation, by white colonial settlers and their descendants. “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a highly-anticipated historical crime drama on Apple TV Plus, sheds light on the inhumane treatment and brutal murders suffered by the Osage community during the early 20th century.
Based on journalist David Grann’s lauded nonfiction book of the same name, the film tells the chilling tale of how the Osage, residing in Oklahoma’s Osage County, were plunged into a harrowing string of murders following the discovery of oil on their land. Despite facing displacement and loss due to government actions, the sudden wealth brought by the oil deposits made the Osage the richest people in the entire country—a fact that drew envy and racism from white outsiders.
The movie delves into the complexities of this dark chapter in American history and attempts to pay homage to the lives lost through its focus on Mollie Kyle, portrayed by Lily Gladstone. Mollie, one of the Osage individuals encouraged to idolize white ranger William King Hale (played by Robert De Niro), embodies the resilience and responsibility felt by the Osage community to protect their loved ones.
Scorsese’s screenplay, co-written by Eric Roth, meticulously draws from Grann’s book, highlighting the economic marginalization faced by the newly affluent Osage through a corrupt guardianship program. However, the film also centers around Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Hale’s nephew and accomplice. This narrative choice has sparked debate, with some arguing that it caters primarily to white audiences.
While “Killers of the Flower Moon” showcases the Osage thriving and exposes the racism and violence perpetuated by “Good White People,” it raises questions about the exploitation of non-white suffering for the sake of “prestige” entertainment. The movie strikes a balance between subtlety and explicitness, immersing viewers in the brutality of the era while initiating a thought-provoking reflection on societal complicity.
Scorsese’s acknowledgement of the film’s imperfections invites audiences to contemplate their motivations for engaging with this troubling part of history. Memed images from the movie have gained popularity, but it is crucial to listen to the criticisms voiced by actual Osage individuals and view the film as a portrayal of survival in the face of systemic persecution.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” is a moving, devastating, and remarkable piece of cinema, urging viewers to confront the injustices committed against the Osage Nation. Starring an ensemble cast that includes Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser, and Tatanka Means, the film is now playing in theaters and will soon be available for streaming on Apple TV Plus.
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