Native American Genocide in KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Foreground from left: Everett Waller (Paul Red Eagle) and Yancey Red Corn (Chief Bonnicastle). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in IMAX SM Aura Premier, IMAX SM City Cebu, IMAX SM City Clark, IMAX SM Lanang Premier, IMAX SM Mall of Asia, IMAX SM Megamall, IMAX SM North Edsa and IMAX SM Southmall. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/

Written by

Jude Bautista

Yancey Red Corn (Chief Bonnicastle): Two members of our tribe: Anna Brown and Charlie Whitehorse both murdered. The Shesh-tah-hay (white man) have been murdering us. In the case of Anna Brown, her case. Her family here on the west side have raised funds of two thousand to five thousand dollars for the arrest and conviction of the murderer. Mollie Burkhart has hired a private investigator.

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Yancey Red Corn (Chief Bonnicastle); Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in
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Everett Waller (Paul Red Eagle): When this money started coming, we should’ve known it came with something else. This is white man’s money. It’s not what we were taught coming down to Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. What’s come to our reservation that doesn’t belong here, its them. They’re like buzzards circling our people. Pick us body clean, leave nothing. When we left Missouri we didn’t even leave our dead babies. We laid them down. We rode our warriors over. To tell everyone we’ll never leave this place again. Or we’ll die here to the last one.

The murders of Native Americans in the story totaled in the hundreds. Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Ayala Malls Cinemas: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Greenbelt and Ayala Malls Glorietta. Log on to:
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Phoenix Ghost (Osage Elder): We’ve come here now to bury our young women.

Dionicio Virvez (Indigenous Elder): I employ some of them. They say they are my friends, I don’t think they really are. Some of them don’t even pretend to work. They walk around they act like they own the place. These people are bums.

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from left: Everett Waller (Paul Red Eagle) and Yancey Red Corn (Chief Bonnicastle). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Robinsons Movieworld Cinemas: Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Place Gapan, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place Ermita and Robinsons Place Galleria.
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Paul Red Eagle: Can’t turn to the county to help us. We can’t go to the state of Oklahoma to help us. Why we ever even thought they would? We were here before them. This is our homeland we came to. We bore our children here because mother earth allowed us here. No one takes us off this earth until God calls us all home. We also got to realize the evil that’s come here. You have something it wants. It didn’t want you when we was coming to genocide.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart) and Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Robinsons Movieworld Cinemas: Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Place Gapan, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place Ermita and Robinsons Place Galleria.
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Paul Red Eagle: Now we put original 25 families in this room. We’re here to come with you. Old Osage saying ‘Dying is not the enemy’. Do not let them die alone. You go join them. We’re still warriors. We have to change. Before we do, we need to be like a fire on this earth. And get rid of all that stops and gets in front of us. I ask you for your support, all of you men and women. All our elders come through this landscape. The only thing we know is we have each other. We have a Lord that’s been good to us. We never prayed for a great life. We just prayed for life! That’s what we’ll be prayin for now. That we get this life with these kids comin. Our days are over. We just barely livin our sundown. Their days are starting. I wanted them to be Osage. Just like the gift that grandma gave me. Just like the gift that grandma gave you.

Modern Genocide

When one thinks of genocide of native Americans, the usual dates and events that come to mind are The Gnadenhutten Massacre (1782), Battle of Tippecanoe (early 1800s), The Creek War (1813-14). Source History.com: When Native Americans Were Slaughtered in the Name of ‘Civilization’

Not to excuse them but they seemed far removed from our time. Some of them even had the veneer of territorial battles/disputes, which became an excuse for genocide. God only knows the many other incidents that were not recorded in history.

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What makes KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON especially egregious is the genocide occurred during the 1920s. Personally, that’s about a decade away from when my dad was born. Only a generation or two away from my own.

From left: Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart), Writer/Director/Producer Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro (William Hale) and Cara Jade Myers (Anna). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Robinsons Movieworld Cinemas: Robinsons Place Antipolo,
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There’s no getting away from it because that’s exactly what happened in the settlement town of Gray Horse, Oklahoma in the movie and in reality. Director / Writer Martin Scorsese, Executive Producer (and lead actor) Leonardo DiCaprio should both be congratulated and commended for tackling such a painful, difficult and tragic subject matter. And having the courage to bring this dark period of American history to light.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart) and Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Ayala Malls Cinemas: Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Greenbelt and Ayala Malls Glorietta. Log on to:
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Who Didn’t Do It

Just like most Indian tribes in the U.S. the Osage were driven from their original lands. Landed on Oklahoma early 20^th century. A time when the nation was transitioning from coal to oil. The land ceded to them was discovered to be oil rich. Each member of the tribe became wealthy overnight. Given payment by oil companies as land owners.

The discovery of oil in Osage land led to new found wealth. Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Venice Grand Canal Mall, and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
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The newly acquired wealth, however, didn’t elevate them from their marginalized status. A lot of the white population resented them having their new found wealth. Some stole and held them up, killed them outright for jewels and money. “It was easier to get arrested for kicking a dog than for killing an injun.”

The murders of Native Americans in the story totaled in the hundreds. Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in IMAX SM Aura Premier, IMAX SM City Cebu, IMAX SM City Clark, IMAX SM Lanang Premier, IMAX SM Mall of Asia, IMAX SM Megamall, IMAX SM North Edsa and IMAX SM Southmall. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/

There was a prevalent conspiracy, apathy all going against the Osage Tribe which includes the legal system. KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON author David Grann, describing the real life incidents, “This isn’t a whodunnit. This is a who didn’t do it.”

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This is the topic of the book on which the film is based. A series of murders that went uninvestigated by authorities. The exact number could reach as high as hundreds. As most of them were swept under the rug and ignored.

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Genocide is defined as the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group. Whether the motivation was to steal money or outright racism, the result was the same.

From left: Janae Collins (Reta), Robert De Niro (William Hale), Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Robinsons Movieworld Cinemas: Robinsons Place Antipolo,
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From Tom White to Ernest Burkhart

The question was how to put the epic book of Grann to film. After gaining the rights to the book, Scorsese had a reading of his initial script in his home with Leo. It lasted 4 hours and had them all rethinking their approach. The length wasn’t just the problem but they all felt a little less absorbed than the book version which was riveting by all accounts. Although, complex and filled with many details and events, subplots.

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Scorsese said, “ The investigative approach, concentrating on the origins of the FBI into the cases worked in the book but not in the film.” Leo suggested that changing the central character would be better. DiCaprio’s initial role was that of FBI agent Tom White. Switching it to Ernest Burkhart, husband of Osage tribeswoman Mollie would be more compelling.

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Marty was committed to researching the script, he spent hours talking to Osage tribe members. Specifically, those who had memories of the real life characters.

From left: Writer Director Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro (William Hale). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Venice Grand Canal Mall, and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
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During the Cannes film fest press con (where they had their world premier), Scorsese explained, “So and so was in love. No he wasn’t. Yes she was. No! And it goes on like that. I said well there’s the story. The story is in the character that the least is written about, Ernest. Of course that’s what Leo wanted to do. He said let’s try to find who Ernest is.”

Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart) and Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in IMAX SM Aura Premier, IMAX SM City Cebu, IMAX SM City Clark, IMAX SM Lanang Premier, IMAX SM Mall of Asia, IMAX SM Megamall, IMAX SM North Edsa and IMAX SM Southmall. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/

“Let’s create Ernest as an example. Or, as I use my words carefully… but as a template for that tragedy of love, trust and betrayal of the indigenous people. I said well we could really get in there and twist and turn the story around. And when we met Lily we knew we had it.”

Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart). Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in IMAX SM Aura Premier, IMAX SM City Cebu, IMAX SM City Clark, IMAX SM Lanang Premier, IMAX SM Mall of Asia, IMAX SM Megamall, IMAX SM North Edsa and IMAX SM Southmall. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/

Eric Roth

While Scorsese is already an Oscar award winning filmmaker. He and Leo still felt the need to recruit a specialist to help revise the script. Someone whose specialty was in adapting novels and books, other sources to the screen. They came up with the best in screenwriter Eric Roth. They could be up for Best Screenplay in the Oscars or Golden Globes, as well as acting and directing nods.

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Screenwriter Eric Roth has the great ability of getting to the heart of the story. Having adapted countless books to screen like FORREST GUMP, DUNE (2021), A STAR IS BORN -where the 2018 – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper version was adapted from the 1954 film with Judy Garland. Just a few of Roth’s most famous works.

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This resulted in a more efficient treatment, being able to say more with fewer scenes. Just like the council meeting above. Where Roth picked up lines from different elders and times, in many meetings, consolidating everything into one. Even the line that described the movie title was from Dann’s book narrated by Leo as Ernest. In the film, DeNiro (Hale) gave his nephew that book about the Osage Indians.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart) reads a book about the Osage; Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in Robinsons Movieworld Cinemas: Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Place Gapan, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place Ermita and Robinsons Place Galleria.
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“In April, millions of tiny flowers spread over the blackjack hills and vast prairies in the Osage territory of Oklahoma. There are Johnny-jump-ups and spring beauties and little bluets. The Osage writer John Joseph Mathews observed that the galaxy of petals makes it look as if the “gods had left confetti.” In May, when coyotes howl beneath an unnervingly large moon, taller plants, such as spiderworts and black-eyed Susans, begin to creep over the tinier blooms, stealing their light and water. The necks of the smaller flowers break and their petals flutter away, and before long they are buried underground. This is why the Osage Indians refer to May as the time of the flower-killing moon.”

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Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone as Mollie, was a great find for producers. Her portrayal had a deep inspiration for her. Mollie, in terms of age, could have been a contemporary of her great grandmother. As Gladstone has native American blood herself of the Piegan Blackfeet tribe, born in East Glacier, Montana.

From left: Tantoo Cardinal (Lizzie Q), Jillian Dion (Minnie), Cara Jade Myers (Anna), Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart), Janae Collins (Reta) and their Osage sisters. Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in IMAX SM Aura Premier, IMAX SM City Cebu, IMAX SM City Clark, IMAX SM Lanang Premier, IMAX SM Mall of Asia, IMAX SM Megamall, IMAX SM North Edsa and IMAX SM Southmall. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/IMAXSMCinema/

Because of her background, she also seemed especially appreciative of the sincerity and commitment of Scorsese, DiCaprio and everyone involved in the movie, “These are artistic souls on this stage here. Cared about telling a story that pierces the veil of what society tells us we’re supposed to care about. And not by focusing on these conflicted characters. Who else is going to challenge people? To challenge their own complicity and white supremacy and such a platform? Except for this man here, other artists are doing that work people listen to, what this one says.”

From left: Tantoo Cardinal (Lizzie Q), Jillian Dion (Minnie), Cara Jade Myers (Anna), Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhart), Janae Collins (Reta) and their Osage sisters. Watch KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON in RED CARPET Cinemas, Shang Rila Plaza Mall, Eastwood City Mall, Venice Grand Canal Mall, and Lucky Chinatown Mall.
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Needing Allies

Also speaking at the Cannes press conference, Gladstone talked about the Tulsa Massacre which was shown as a news reel in their movie, “So turning the lens turning the big lens, the most golden lens into areas where our communities you know. We’re speaking of the 1920s Osage Community. We’re talking about Black Wall Street in Tulsa. We’re talking about a lot in our film. And why the hell does the world not know about these things? Our communities always have.”

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Referring to their research, she said, “It’s so central to everything about how we understand our place in the world. We also still need this. We need these allies. I’m just giving you more credit than that you were there as a human being not as a not as somebody who is studying people. You were, we were immersed there. There’s no other way to tell these stories. There’s no other way than to step in and allow the world that you’re in to shape what you’re saying.”

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Mollie’s Grace

Her role was more than just an acting process, “It’s hard to with a character like Mollie to get too in there and too expository. Or try to explain the thought behind the look. Because that’s doing this audience a disservice as well. Mollie was a trick in holding true to not only the way she’s perceived in the book but by the legacy that she’s left in the community. By playing an Osage woman who conducts herself with grace and with measure. But also with humor and with unshakable strength. It’s the reason that those of you who have seen the film, and not to ruining it for anybody, but it was the driving force of why the end needed to be what it is. The cultural perpetuity, the perseverance of Mollie is an example of somebody who you know I don’t, I almost don’t want to talk about as an acting process.”

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“When it comes to her I just had to be there and receive what the community told me she needed to be. What my own family has told me about my great-grandmother Lily. Who would have been Mollie’s contemporary who was also devoutly Catholic. But also a very traditional Blackfoot woman and all of those things. So I’m not sure it’s me finding it so much as it finding me.”

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