Lily Gladstone Brings Blackfeet Roots to ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Award-winning actress Lily Gladstone is bringing her Blackfeet roots to the big screen in the highly-anticipated film “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The Martin Scorsese-directed epic examines the Reign of Terror, a series of murders in 1920s Osage County. Gladstone portrays Mollie, an Osage woman married to Ernest Burkhart (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a key figure in the crime ring targeting the tribe for their wealth.
At 37, Gladstone is known for her silent yet powerful performances in indie films and TV series. In an interview, she reflected on the importance of representing Native communities on screen, stating, “I grew up in a place where we would get big Hollywood film crews rolling through once in a while. I was very familiar with what it felt like to have people coming in from the outside wanting to tell a story with your community. And they’re not always there in the best interests.”
Scorsese’s commitment to collaborating with the Native community was evident from the initial casting process. Despite the film’s large production scale and international reach, the director made sure to incorporate local Osage actors and consultants, showing a respect for the people and their history that earned him the praise of both Gladstone and other Native individuals involved in the project.
However, the film is not without its critics. Osage individuals who worked on the film expressed their desire for the story to be told from Mollie’s perspective, emphasizing the need for authentic representation in the portrayal of historical events.
In response to the critics and discussions surrounding the film, Gladstone has urged Native viewers to see “Killers of the Flower Moon” when they feel ready and has provided resources to support them through potential feelings of “generational grief.” Striving to honor the experiences and perspectives of her community, she has remained vocal about the importance of listening and considering the varied voices within Indigenous cultures.
Gladstone’s dedication to amplifying the voices and stories of Native people is a testament to the rich roots woven into the fabric of her own identity – it’s a commitment evident in her performances and her advocacy as she balances artistry with social consciousness.
Clearly, Gladstone’s presence in “Killers of the Flower Moon” goes beyond her portrayal of Mollie; it represents a larger movement toward more inclusive and thoughtful storytelling, guided by voices from within the communities being depicted on screen.