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Devery Jacobs has seen Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” and has “strong feelings” about the film.
In a thread shared on
“As a local, watching this film was bloody hell. “Imagine the worst atrocities committed against your ancestors and then have to watch a movie that is explicitly about them and the only break is 30 minute scenes of murderous white people talking about the murders /they plan,” she posted.
Jacobs called Lily Gladstone “an absolute legend” for her role as Mollie, adding: “All the incredible Indigenous actors were the only worthwhile factors in this film. “Give Lily her damn Oscar.”
She continued, “But while all the performances were strong, when you look at the proportions, each of the Osage characters seemed painfully repressed, while the white men were given much more civility and depth.”
Jacobs goes on to talk about the violent scenes in the film, understanding that it is “a brutal shock value that forces people to understand the true horrors that have happened to this community.”
“I do not believe these very real people were given honor or dignity by the horrific depiction of their deaths,” she added. “In contrast, I believe that showing more murdered indigenous women on screen will normalize the violence perpetrated against us and further dehumanize our people.”
“I can’t believe it needs to be said, but Indigenous people exist beyond our grief, trauma and atrocities. Our pride in being indigenous, our languages, cultures, joy and love are much more interesting and human than showing the horrors white men have inflicted on us.”
Jacobs called on non-Native directors to focus the story on “the white perspective and focus on the pain of Native people.” While she acknowledges that it’s good that this story is being told, she would have preferred if an Osage filmmaker had been given the $200 million budget to tell his own story.
Read all the posts Jacobs shared below.
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As a local, watching this film was hell. Imagine the worst atrocities committed against your ancestors and then have to watch a movie that is explicitly about them and the only break is 30 minute scenes of murderous white people talking about the murders/ they’re planning
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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But while all the performances were strong, when you consider the proportions, each of the Osage characters seemed painfully repressed, while the white men were given much more civility and depth.
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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I don’t believe these very real people were given any honor or dignity by the horrific depiction of their deaths.
In contrast, I believe that showing more murdered Native women on screen will normalize the violence perpetrated against us and further dehumanize our people.
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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I can’t believe it needs to be said, but Indigenous people exist beyond our grief, trauma and atrocities. Our pride in being indigenous, our languages, cultures, joy and love are much more interesting and human than showing the horrors that white men have done to us.
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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For the Osage communities involved in the making of this film; I can imagine how liberating it is to see these stories and stories finally recognized, especially on a platform as prestigious as this film. Many Wazhazhe did wonderful work on this film.
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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– and I’m sorry, but Scorsese chooses to end with a shot of Ilonshka dancing and drumming? It doesn’t exempt the film from portraying the native people as helpless victims with no agency.
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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And a massive fuck you to the real life white Oklahomans who still wear and profit from these bloodstained headrights.
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023
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All in all, after 100 years of portraying Indigenous communities in film, is this really the representation we needed? #KillersOfTheFlowerMoon
— Devery Jacobs (@kdeveryjacobs) October 23, 2023