Before landing a pivotal part in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and the role of a grief-stricken mother in Reservation Dogs, Lily Gladstone ventured into some unexpected places in her acting journey. An educator, teaching school children about Native American history through an educational theater program, Gladstone made her debut in 2012 with Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian.
Having won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for her role in Certain Women, the Native American actress is quite vocal about her views on Hollywood’s portrayal of the American West.
Lily Gladstone criticized Hollywood’s romanticized depiction of the American West
While talking to Vulture about her upcoming project, Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone did not mince her words while criticizing the five-season Golden Globe Award-winning drama series Yellowstone.
Critiquing Hollywood’s portrayal of the American West, particularly in the popular Kevin Costner-led Yellowstone, Gladstone described it as “Delusional! Deplorable!” However, at the same time, the actress was quick to emphasize that her comments were not aimed at the Native American actors who appeared on the show. She explained, “No offense to the Native talent in that. I auditioned several times. That’s what we had.”
This is not the first time that Yellowstone has found itself amidst criticism. Prior to this, creator Taylor Sheridan had defended the series, especially against the accusations of it being ‘anti-woke’ or a ‘red-state show.’
Lily Gladstone shared how Martin Scorsese ensured authentic representation in his project
Gladstone will be next seen in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Scheduled for release on October 20, 2023, the American epic Western crime drama film is set in the 1920s, centered around the oil fields of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma.
While talking to Variety about how the film’s team worked closely with the real-life Osage Nation to ensure an authentic representation of the community, Gladstone called Scorsese’s approach refreshing. She said,
“The work is better when you let the world inform the work. That was very refreshing how involved the production got with the [Osage Nation] community. As the community warmed up to our presence, the more the community got involved with the film. It’s a different movie than the one [Scorsese] walked in to make almost entirely because of what the community had to say about how it was being made and what was being portrayed.”
Apart from this, Gladstone shared that, unlike many Hollywood narratives, Killers of the Flower Moon is not a typical ‘white savior story.’ Instead, she emphasized that the film portrays the Osage Nation as active agents who urge others to take action.
