Lily Gladstone, who is set to star in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming historical drama, Killers of the Flower Moon, has spoken out condemning Hollywood’s glorification of the American West in film and television, particularly the Kevin Costner-led series, Yellowstone.
In a recent interview with Vulture, Gladstone called the series, “Delusional! Deplorable!”, though she does not fault any of the Native American actors for appearing on the show, adding, “No offense to the Native talent in that. I auditioned several times. That’s what we had.”
The series Yellowstone and its spinoff series 1883 and 1923 follow different generations of the Dutton family and their cattle ranch in Montana. Creator Sheridan has defended his series multiple times in the past from critics who referred to the shows as “anti-woke” or a “red-state show.”
Back in January, Gladstone told Variety about how Scorsese worked closely with the real-life Osage Nation to ensure accurate representation of the community in his film.
“The work is better when you let the world inform the work,” Gladstone said. “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.”
“It’s not a white savior story,” Gladstone said of the film to Vulture. “It’s the Osage saying, ‘Do something. Here’s money. Come help us.’”
Killers of the Flower Moon is set to be released in theatres everywhere on October 20th.
