Lily Gladstone discusses people projecting emotions onto her, her Oscar-nominated role in 'Killers of the Flower Moon', thinking of giving up acting before 'Certain Women', playing an incarcerated mother in 'Reservation Dogs', and how every role she takes becomes an Indigenous role.
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Quick takeaways
Audience perception impacts Lily Gladstone's performances, reflecting on her roles in a complex manner.
Lily Gladstone navigates challenges, reflects on representation in acting, and showcases versatility early on.
Lily Gladstone prioritizes authenticity in portraying indigenous characters, emphasizing cultural significance and personal connections in her craft.
Deep dives
Family History and Role Inspirations
Lily shares details about her family history, including her connection to a character named Notawiiehsta. She reveals her relationship with actress Janay Collins, who is actually her real-life distant relative. The significance of familial lineage and blood quantum in indigenous communities contributes to Lily's rich understanding of her heritage.
Challenges Faced in Acting
Lily discusses the challenges she faced in her acting journey, noticing potential stereotyping in roles and dealing with potential typecasting. Her experience at the University of Montana sheds light on the struggle for representation and breaking away from traditional roles. Lily's proactive approach and success in student films showcased her talent and versatility early in her career.
Cultural Sensitivity in Acting Roles
Throughout her roles like Mollie Kyle in 'First Cow' and the encounter with certain plays in her theater background, Lily emphasizes the distinction between playing a person who is native and playing a native character. The portrayal of indigenous heritage and the importance of cultural authenticity in acting assignments are notable aspects of Lily's approach to her craft.
Balancing Native Heritage with Acting Career
By delving into her roles and personal connections with characters like Mollie Kyle, Lily reflects on striking a balance between her native heritage and her acting career. The intersection of family narratives, historical lineage, and professional roles underscores Lily's commitment to authentic storytelling and representation within the entertainment industry.
Portrayal of authenticity and history in acting
Acting with authenticity involves more than just surface-level representation. The complexity of characters like Molly, although based on historical figures, carries a legacy and responsibility to accurately depict their experiences and emotions. Addressing the legacy of past events such as the reign of terror requires a nuanced and respectful approach to storytelling. The emphasis on authenticity in performances reflects cultural values and engenders empathy from audiences.
Cultural symbolism and storytelling through roles
Interpreting roles through cultural symbols like trickster stories offers new insights into characters and narratives. By viewing characters like Earnest as trickster figures, the story gains a deeper layer of meaning and complexity. The intertwining of personal experiences with larger themes of trust and colonization serves as an allegory for societal relationships. This approach to storytelling mirrors communal practices like ceremonies, fostering balance and healing through shared understanding.
Lily Gladstone knows that people project all manner of emotions and intentions onto her when she gives a performance. Lily and Marc talk about why that happens, including the reaction to her Oscar-nominated performance in Killers of the Flower Moon. They also talk about the time Lily was thinking about giving up acting just as Kelly Reichardt cast her in Certain Women, why it was so important for her to play an incarcerated mother on Reservation Dogs, and why she believes every role she takes becomes an Indigenous role, regardless of the original intent.