Martin Scorsese’s Next Film Receives A Green Light From Original Author David Grann: David Grann, the primary author of Killers of the Flower Moon, visits the movie’s sets and gives the production high marks. The plot of Killers of the Flower Moon, that’s based on Grann’s nonfiction book of the same name, focuses on several Osage Nation members who were killed after oil was discovered on their tribal bases in the 1920s and the subsequent FBI investigation into the crimes in Oklahoma. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone, Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow, and Robert De Niro are among the cast members of the movie, which Scorsese directed from a script he co-wrote with Eric Roth.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Grann discussed how Scorsese’s most recent epic was inspired by his book. The Killers of the Flower Moon author, who spent a few days on Scorsese’s set, applauded practically every aspect of the movie adaption, including the cast’s performances, the Osage Nation’s involvement, and the overall respect and comprehension of history. He mentions as follows:
One of the things that were most impressive and important in the development process was less my involvement, but the involvement of members of the Osage Nation. And early on, the Osage chief, Geoffrey Standing Bear, appointed several movie ambassadors from the Nation, and the government, to work with the movie folks. From everything I’ve heard, they worked with a commitment to working with the Osage Nation, developing a story, and even shooting on location. Many Osage are acting in the movie.
I did visit the set for a few days. And I was, again, just really impressed by how they managed to bring these historical figures to life and capture the hidden truths about the story. Leo just seemed to be able to capture the nature of Ernest Burkhart, the level of complicity of his character, and this evil system. And Lily Gladstone brings Mollie to life with such sensitivity and emotional power, at least in the bits I saw.
What I was struck by from Scorsese actors was the level of commitment and how much research they did to understand the parts and understand the history. They just seemed voracious, a little bit like historians, in their search for any knowledge, transcripts, documents, speaking to descendants, speaking with members of the Osage Nation. The film had Osage-language experts working with the actors to make sure they were able to teach them the language and that they got the language right, technically. I saw a scene where many of the tribal council members of the Osage Nation were speaking, and I think they contributed to a lot of that dialogue themselves.
What To Expect From Martin Scorsese’s Next Film ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
It is fascinating that Grann is sharing his first-hand experience because there has only been one photograph and no footage available for Killer of the Flower Moon prior to its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month. The original author had the chance to go to the set in Oklahoma and see the cast and crew at work. Grann praised DiCaprio for his portrayal of Ernest Burkhart, a morally dubious ranch hand who gradually discovers he is more culpable in his link to the Osage killings than he initially believed.
Gladstone’s sympathetic and heartfelt portrayal of Burkhart’s wife, Mollie, an Osage, was singled out by the author as well. DiCaprio, De Niro, Plemons, Fraser, and Lithgow are among the Oscar winners and nominees who appear in the cast of Killers of the Flower Moon. The ensemble cast, many of whom will be bringing actual historical individuals to life, is expected to attract significant attention throughout the award season.
Grann’s remarks also imply that Scorsese’s adaptation is as historically accurate as possible, which is essential for a movie about obscure but significant historical events. Grann pushed for collaboration between Scorsese and Osage Nation members during the planning and production of the movie to guarantee its accuracy. When Killers of the Flowers Moon debuts in theatres on October 6, it should be, as Grann claims, a “bracing, breathtaking, and powerful” movie. Given that the film’s runtime is allegedly about four hours, it should have no issue doing so.
