Suggest participates in affiliate programs with various companies. Links originating from Suggest’s website that lead to purchases or reservations on affiliated sites generate revenue for Suggest. This means that Suggest may earn a commission if you click on or make purchases through affiliate links.
In 1920, the Osage Nation of Oklahoma became the richest nation in people per capita in the world when valuable oil deposits were discovered on their land. And for the next six years, Osage County was terrorized by a series of more than 60 unsolved or mysterious murders of Osage people who would benefit from these mineral lease royalties.
The serial murders became known as the “Reign of Terror,” prompting the involvement of the FBI’s forerunner, the US Bureau of Investigation. Author and journalist David Grann immortalized this tragic period of unjustified crimes in his book of 2017 flower moon killers. Martin Scorsese’s film adaptation, which was filmed in Oklahoma, will be released in May 2023.
But this isn’t just a third-party representation of the Osage Nation. It is a collaboration between the production company and the citizens of Osage, unlike many previous Hollywood depictions of Native American peoples.
The need for a sensitive approach
Since Scorsese and lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio first announced plans for the film in 2017, the potential for backlash has been immense. This film not only depicts a particularly heinous moment in American history, but also focuses on a community that this country has violently marginalized since its founding.
Consequently, many were initially skeptical that a major Hollywood film production would storm into Osage County, Oklahoma to tell a sensationalized version of the story. However, reports from Osage citizens and indigenous actors involved in the film reveal that Scorsese was very careful to approach the film with reverence and humility.
The movie industry has a sordid history of dehumanizing, belittling, or exploiting Native Americans and their cultures, which explains why there were many preconceptions against the intentions of Scorsese and DiCaprio. And while we obviously can’t speak to the film’s unreleased content, its production practices paint a picture of genuine collaboration and respect for the Osage community.
Let the world report the work
Lily Gladstone, a descendant of Blackfeet and Nez Perce, stars as Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman whose family fell victim to the Reign of Terror. In a recent interview with VarietyGladstone said that Scorsese “worked closely with the real-life Osage Nation to ensure that his film properly represented the community.”
“Work is better when you let the world inform the work,” he said. “It’s a different movie than the one I [Scorsese] he came to do almost entirely because of what the community had to say.”
Osage News reported that this synchronicity had existed since the film’s conception. In 2019, Scorsese and his production team met with Osage Nation CEO Geoffrey Standing Bear. Standing Bear served as the film’s cultural consultant, ensuring proper and historically accurate depictions of the Osage Nation.
The film used Osage and other indigenous citizens in its cast, local artisans in its costume department, Osage citizens to cook the scenes in the film, and consultants from the Osage Language Department and the Wahzhazhe Cultural Center. On the first day of filming, members of the Osage Nation and more than 100 cast and crew members gathered for a blessing led by Archie Mason, a member of Grayhorse’s main committee.
Leading a more inclusive path
He assassins The production team’s decision to shoot on location forced the Osage Nation to once again face an incredibly difficult time. The Reign of Terror resulted in the death of at least 5% of the Osage Nation, with 50% losing all their wealth. So it’s no surprise that local community opinions on the film are divisive.
Still, the overwhelming response appears to be positive. “[Scorsese] hit me and more [Osage] people like a very sincere person who wants to make things right and do right by us,” said Danette Daniels, Osage Owner of Pawhuska Waterfowl Gallery. the oklahoma. “There are other Osages who are very skeptical… but at least we’ve had input into the process.”
Indeed, flower moon killers seems to be taking a much-needed turn away from Hollywood’s traditional treatment of Native American communities. While they deserve to have their story told, indigenous peoples also deserve to be the ones to tell it. And hopefully, Scorsese’s example will lead Hollywood down a more inclusive path where we celebrate and uplift marginalized communities, not further exploit them for ratings.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn