Films

Killers of the Flower Moon

Contributed

10 Dec 2023 — 1 min read

By Jack Weir

Martin Scorsese’s latest film is an epic historical crime drama about the murders of Osage Native Americans that took place in 1920s Oklahoma. When the Osage Tribe find oil on their land, the dim-witted Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is hired by his domineering uncle William “King” Hale, Robert De Niro, to get some of this new wealth through Mollie, a local Osage woman. 

DiCaprio’s career-best, but unsympathetic central performance makes this a morally challenging film where an audience feels like a participant in its violence. De Niro’s performance as “King” Hale is equally commendable as a man who has crafted a persona of gravitas, using his Southern charm to manipulate others. It is Lily Gladstone, however, who steals the show as the innocent Osage Mollie, in a hauntingly mesmerising performance that is a cinematic highlight of this year, and deserving of the Oscar for Best Actress. 

Killers of the Flower Moon features the final film soundtrack produced by Robbie Robertson of The Band who passed away in August of this year. Composed of rhythmic tribal chanting and the low, sinister twang of a distant guitar, the score skilfully blends Native American and Southern influence and is a beautiful accompaniment to this masterpiece. 

Ernest reads a book on the Osage in which there is a painting with the quote: “Can you find the wolves in this picture?” This illustrates the film’s themes perfectly - searching for vicious predators hidden in plain sight. This complex exploration of the corruption of greed is worth watching on the big screen.

Jack Weir studies Film at  Edinburgh Napier University.

Is the current planning system for renewables sidelining communities?

The growing amount, complexity, increasing fast pace of the process, and the way decisions on applications are reached - with some given the green light despite widespread local opposition - are some of the challenges faced by the local communities around the Kyle of Sutherland. “It seems [Scottish Ministers Alastair

Kyle Chronicle #23

Community meeting with Maree Todd to discuss concerns over more renewable developments in the area

The meeting was organised by the local campaign group NORoS (No Ring of Steel Kyle of Sutherland). It was held on 13th February at Bonar Bridge Hall, with over 150 people attending. Those in the community who are concerned about the cumulative, socio-economic and environmental effects of new renewable energy

Out-of-place names

Gaelic, Norse, Brittonic? A look into the history  and origins of place names in and around our area The Munros of Culrain renamed the estate of Carbisdale (from Balinoe to Ochtow) after the estate of Culrain in the parish of Rosskeen, which in turn had been given that name after

Read more

Is the current planning system for renewables sidelining communities?

Kyle Chronicle #23

Community meeting with Maree Todd to discuss concerns over more renewable developments in the area

Out-of-place names