2023-10-18 19:20:08
The silence was absolute in the movie theater; as if the entire audience was holding their breath. The atmosphere at its premiere Killers of the Flower Moon at the Cannes Film Festival is not something you come across every day. On the way out, the eyes hid small smiles, as if telling each other that “Marty” had made it again. The American filmmaker brings another film to theaters (from 10/19), which is almost certain to take a special place in his already legendary filmography.
In mid-2016, Mr Martin Scorsese he was in a creative fever, between two different projects: on the one hand he was finishing the editing of his much-loved Silence and on the other hand he was starting the huge production of the Irishman. That’s when his good friend and steady star, Leonardo DiCaprio, came forward having secured the film rights to a still-in-progress book by author and journalist David Grann about the organized extermination of the Osage Natives in Oklahoma, USA in the early 20th century . “It could be your first western,” Leo told him, drawing his attention to a story that was already very interesting.
The Osage Story
In 1923, the still newly formed FBI begins an investigation, following complaints from the Osage community about a series of murders that have taken place under unexplained circumstances in their area. Agent Thomas White arrives there, who gradually discovers an incredible story of exploitation: As early as 1894, significant oil deposits have been found in the Osage region, as a result of which the natives became rich almost overnight. The “black gold” however also attracts all sorts of white adventurers, who with the tolerance of the American government intervene in the community often through marriages to get their hands on the valuable mining rights. This is the story of (the book) Killers of the Flower Moon.
For the film, which finally began to be scripted in 2019, the main character had to be found. The obvious choice would be the agent who comes to deal with the “bad guys” and solve the mystery, as is the case in so many westerns. However, DiCaprio, Scorsese and Eric Roth (co-writer) realized that telling another Native American story from the point of view of the white “savior” didn’t make sense. The solution was finally presented through the study of historical sources, bringing to light the name of Ernest Burckhardt; a veteran of the First World War, who was accused of being an accomplice in a series of murders that wiped out the members of the family of the rich and his native spouse, in order for the oil rights to end up with him.
Directing De Niro, under the eye of Jesse Plemons.
The even more interesting character element? The fact that behind the evil plan was Ernest’s uncle, William Hale, better known as the “King of the Osage Hills”, while he seems to have genuinely loved his wife.
So this character, who walks the thin red line between likeability and dislike, putting the viewer right into the story of the Osages, immediately caught DiCaprio’s attention. So he undertook to incarnate him with his well-known devotion. He was quickly joined by two important companions: the great Robert De Niro, who plays the uncle, in his tenth collaboration with Scorsese, and Lily Gladstone, a native actress who was cast to play Molly, the girl Ernest falls in love with. , before turning against her family. Molly’s multi-dimensional character is very interesting, with a penchant for self-destruction. DiCaprio said of his co-star that he gave depth to her character. “She is hesitant about Ernest and almost from the beginning of their relationship she does not hesitate to describe him negatively, likening him to a coyote. The way she deals with him is tremendously courageous. It is very rare for Marty not to have second and third meetings before choosing an actor. But he immediately saw something in her, in her eyes, in her soul […]».
As for De Niro playing William “The King” Hale? The latter is considered the architect of the “Reign of Terror”, as the period of extermination of the natives by the white exploiters was recorded. The paradox of course with Hale was that he considered himself a friend of the Osages, “the most beautiful people in the world,” as he used to say; what he did against them he considered a natural progression of things, another episode in the succession of civilizations , that come and go. As for Agent Tom White, he appears mainly in the last part of the film, played by Jesse Plemons.
The leader Standing Bear
Scorsese and his collaborators were not content, however, to change the focus of the film and cast an indigenous actress in the main cast. Instead, they saw fit to shoot the entire film in the authentic Osage region of Oklahoma, hiring locals throughout the production (actors, technicians, laborers, etc.) and most importantly getting the blessing of the local authorities. Not figuratively, but literally, since Scorsese himself arranged early on to meet with the tribe’s chief, Jeffrey “Standing Bear,” for a two-and-a-half-hour chat accompanied by traditional ceremony that, it is said, left the two men moved, posing the foundations for even closer cooperation between the film crew and the community. Not by chance, the leader was with the rest of the contributors at Cannes as well.
All of the above add up to a final result – a nearly three and a half hour epic, which may not have classic action, but is full of suspense, while possessing a dramatic weight that cumulatively pushes the entire plot forward. However, more than an ancient tragedy, The Killers brings to mind The Giant (1956), George Stevens’ idiosyncratic western with Rock Hutson, Elizabeth Taylor and the unlikely James Dean. In both cases, greed and blind selfishness will clash with love, in a war that spans decades and ultimately defines people’s lives. We must not forget that what we are watching is a love story. Love and trust that is betrayed and now needs atonement so that everyone can move on; much like the true relationship between whites and natives in modern America.
Another scene from the shoot with DiCaprio, Gladstone and De Niro, with the director watching.
Watching the press conference a few months ago in Cannes, it became more and more obvious that this particular film was for its actors much more than a film project. Lily Gladstone, in her calm, steady voice, put it perhaps best of all: “The bottom line is that Marty and Leo and the others came into the Osage community not as scientific observers but as people. People are listening to what this guy is saying here (s.p. pointing to Scorsese). To have such a great cinematic lens turned on these communities is something that helps a lot. Because for hours and hours you wonder how it is possible that people do not know what happened with the Osage or in the massacre in neighboring Tulsa at the same time. That’s why we need these allies.”
INFO → The Killers of the Blooming Moon is expected in Greek cinemas from 19/10 in Feelgood distribution.
#western #DAILY