Bahar Hariri / Staff Reporter

“They suffered one of the most monstrous crimes in American history, yet many people, myself included, weren’t taught about it”

Journalist, David Grann

Killers of the Flower Moon is an insightful film, a remarkable story represented through film that has been one of 2023’s big movies, with 125 awards and 400 nominations. This heartfelt, raw movie directed by Martin Scorsese stars “Hollywood royalty” Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and an extremely talented actor, Lily Gladstone. Set in Oklahoma’s Osage Nation in the 1920’s, this story explores the mysterious murders of the Osage people and reveals a harrowing piece of American History.

Official trailer of Killers of the Flower Moon

About the Movie

The story of Killers of the Flower Moon begins about 50 years before the murders. The Osage people are moved off their land in Kansas and are forced onto an unfit reservation in Oklahoma. The Osage Nation soon realize that their new land is full of rich oil reserves, and they become very wealthy because of their new abundance of this valuable resource.

 The land of the Osage can’t be purchased, only inherited, therefore many white entrepreneur men would conspire to marry Osage women, and kill them, in order to inherit their land. These murder investigations of the Osage led to the creation of what is now known as the FBI. Throughout the duration of 3 hours, the movie moves through time, revealing the stories of the Osage and the truth about the murders.

The movie revolves around an Osage family, specifically Mollie Kyle, one of four sisters, who falls in love and marries Ernest Burkhart, nephew of William Hale. William Hale, played by De Niro, is a well known and loved deputy sheriff with the nickname “King of the Osage Hills.” Hale’s influence and power is strong and allows him to manipulate others. However, Ernest (DiCaprio) is a simple man, new to the town after serving in the first World War. His seemingly kind and supportive demeanor soon gets overshadowed by his uncles twisted schemes, as he gets involved in dark happenings of his new town.

Mollie Kyle (Left), William Hale (Center), Ernest Burkhart (Right)

Authenticity

As the focus of this movie revolves around these characters, Scorsese had to ensure that not only the characters were played with authenticity, but the voices of the people were told effectively and genuinely. “Where’s the heart of the film?” DiCaprio  asked Scorsese, with the director responding, “Well, the heart is with her and Ernest.” Gladstone and DiCaprio had the task of representing the true stories of the Osage people in the 1920’s and show the love yet deceiving manners in their relationship. During the movie, the story ticks forward and we see the love story unfold between Ernest and Mollie.

Mollie and Ernest Burkhart

As a storyteller, Scorsese had to ensure that this narrative is told correctly. The film explored a touching subject, which involved a variety of perspectives, voices, and connections. As a non-indigenous director telling an Indigenous story, Scorsese had to work cautiously, and in close collaboration with Indigenous creators.

“You deal with Native Americans and Indigenous people, you gotta make sure everything we do, everything we do, is as authentic,” Scorsese told CBS  

Reportedly, Scorsese hired many Osage to work in front of and behind the camera. Allowing Osage to play a part in telling the story of their history is very significant, and Scorsese supported this idea. Additionally, Scorsese worked alongside Osage language consultants, and real life descendants of the people portrayed in the movie. Scorsese and the crew maintained a healthy relationship with the Osage Nation Chief Standing Bear.

“My people suffered greatly, and to this very day, those effects are with us,” “But I can say, on behalf of the Osage, Marty Scorsese and his team have restored trust, and we know that trust will not be betrayed.”

Osage Nation Chief Standing Bear

Indigenous perspectives

There is a plethora of voices being expressed and recognized throughout this movie, arguably the most important ones being the story of the Osage people and community. The story of the Osage murders is truly devastating, and surprisingly wasn’t well-known until 2017, when journalist David Grann published the book, revealing the callous truth about American past.

There are divided opinions about this movie from Indigenous communities. While some people appreciate the retelling of this story, highlighting the importance of this moment in Osage history, many Indigenous people are critiquing it and have reservations for the movie.

 Although Scorsese received support from the Osage and delivered the making of this movie with as much authenticity as possible, the movie’s lack of an Indigenous screenwriter and director is a subject of debate. The lack of historical context and graphic violence also received some negative feedback from Indigenous communities. Finally, many Indigenous communities feel as though the voice of the Osage was overpowered by the perspective of white conspirators throughout the movie. The focus was more on their criminal actions of the white entrepreneurs rather than the Osage people and their journeys.

Gleneagle connection

For students, it is important to understand and respect other perspectives and stories. Although this film represents the story of Indigenous people in American history, it relates heavily to Canadian history as well. Indigenous people suffered through a lot of violence and pain in Canadian history. By understanding other stories, it will allow Gleneagle students to better recognize the voices in their own community.

This film is another example of storytelling through film, and it is important for students to see the possibilities of sharing voices through media. Film helps students see the vast assortment of differing perspectives in the world. Voices can be amplified by others, and by working together a story can get heard and appreciated.

Conclusion:

Killer of the Flower Moon is a film that represents the voice of Indigenous people in a light that will be seen. This film revealed a dark truth about American history, a truth that many people were oblivious of. The lying, manipulation, and unjust actions of the white conspirators to kill Osage women is a voice is the distressing truth, unveiled by this movie. By reviving this story through film, it can educate and inform people, bringing justice to the Osage people’s stories. Many people died unjust deaths during the murders of the 1920’s, and it is right to honour their stories and understand the verity of the subject.

Sources:

Media: