Lily Gladstone (‘Killers of the Flower Moon’) is Making History
Feb 18, 2024
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Actor Lily Gladstone discusses her Best Actress nomination for 'Killers of the Flower Moon', her creative upbringing on the Blackfeet Reservation, and her hope for a paradigm shift in the entertainment industry. She reflects on her early experiences auditioning in Hollywood, the Osage legacy in the new project with Martin Scorsese, and the life-changing performance that ensued.
Lily Gladstone's power as Molly comes from her reserve and observational qualities, highlighting the importance of representing diverse narratives and avoiding stereotypes.
'Killers of the Flower Moon' seeks to offer solace and acknowledgment to the Osage Nation, emphasizing the deep resonance of Native actors like Lily Gladstone within the community.
Lily Gladstone's challenges as a Native actor underscore the need for more authentic representations, fair working conditions, and stories told from Native perspectives.
Deep dives
The Power of Reserving Strength and Observational Qualities in Acting
In the podcast episode, Lily Gladstone discusses her role as Molly in the film 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' She explains that Molly's power comes from her reserve and observational qualities. Gladstone draws a parallel between Molly's character and the stoicism often associated with Native people, highlighting the importance of representing diverse narratives and avoiding stereotypes. She also mentions the impact that trickster stories had on her performance, allowing her to understand Molly's character and the dynamics between Molly and Ernest. By embracing stillness and being an attentive listener, Molly's power as the beating heart of the film is portrayed.
The Film as an Offering and a New Narrative
The podcast episode explores how 'Killers of the Flower Moon' seeks to offer solace and acknowledgment to the Osage Nation and address the tear they experienced during the reign of terror. Director Martin Scorsese aims to present a more knowing chapter in history while highlighting the tragic exploitation faced by Indigenous communities. The film's depiction of Osage people and the casting of Native actors, like Lily Gladstone, has resonated deeply with the Osage community. The podcast mentions responses from Osage individuals, expressing pride and ownership in the portrayal of their history and the cultural perpetuity depicted in the film's ending.
Challenges and Progress in Native Representation
The podcast delves into the challenges Lily Gladstone faced as a Native actor in the industry, including casting directors suggesting she wasn't 'Indian enough' for certain roles. Gladstone emphasizes the need for more authentic and nuanced Native representations, highlighting the role of casting director Rene Haynes, who specializes in Native talent. Amidst labor strikes, Gladstone participated in picket lines, underscoring the importance of fair working conditions in the industry. The podcast also features commentary from Gladstone's language coach, Chris Kote, who reflects on the film's perspective and calls for moral introspection, acknowledging both the significance of the film and the importance of future projects told from Native perspectives.
The Power of Storytelling and Activism
The podcast episode explores the connection between storytelling, activism, and the power of acting. The guest, Lily Gladstone, discusses how acting can serve a purpose by giving individuals a sense of agency and control over their own destinies. By actualizing stories on stage, there is potential to make an impact in society. Gladstone also highlights the importance of representation and how stories belonging to marginalized communities can challenge harmful narratives and stereotypes. Through her experience of performing shows for various audiences, including wounded veterans and Native communities, she emphasizes the transformative and healing nature of storytelling.
The Impact of Cultural Perpetuity
The episode delves into the significance of cultural perpetuity and the role of movies in preserving and shaping cultural legacies. The conversation centers around the importance of representation and how it has historically been lacking in the film industry. Gladstone discusses the impact of her Golden Globe nomination and how it symbolizes a shift towards more balanced and authentic storytelling. She emphasizes the need for Hollywood to challenge harmful stereotypes and provide accurate portrayals of indigenous peoples. By reclaiming their narratives, indigenous communities can challenge the dehumanizing and fetishizing images that have been historically perpetuated by media.
Actor Lily Gladstone made history last month when she netted a Best Actress nomination for her work in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.
At the top, we discuss this landmark moment for the film (7:00), her personal approach to the role of Mollie Kyle (9:58), and a revealing scene between Lily and Leonardo DiCaprio (15:40). Then, we walk through Gladstone’s connection to the “trickster” story (19:00), her creative upbringing on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana (21:55), and her road to acting as a teenager (26:50) and later a touring performer in her twenties (30:40).
On the back-half, Gladstone reflects on her early, complicated experiences auditioning in Hollywood (44:15), how she and Martin Scorsese aimed to honor the Osage legacy in this new project (48:30), the life-changing performance that came to be (58:00), and her hope for a true paradigm shift in the entertainment industry (1:03:25).
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