Martin Scorsese made an appearance on the popular talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, to discuss his new movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The legendary director, known for his epic Western crime dramas, shared his excitement about the film’s release in theaters and IMAX on Friday.
During his conversation with Jimmy Kimmel, Scorsese reminisced about his past projects, including his documentary about his Italian American heritage called “Italian American.” He spoke about the importance of holding onto cultural traditions, especially through food, which was a key aspect of his film. Scorsese even included his mother’s sauce and meatball recipe in the credits, a gesture that was well-received by Italian American viewers.
The discussion then shifted to Scorsese’s longtime collaboration with musician Robbie Robertson, who unfortunately passed away in August. Scorsese revealed that he first met Robertson through producer Jonathan Taplan, who worked on “Mean Streets.” The director praised Robertson’s contribution to the band’s unique sound, describing it as unlike anything else in the world. Scorsese fondly remembered seeing The Band perform at Woodstock and how their music resonated with him.
Scorsese also shared an interesting tidbit about his working relationship with Robertson on the “Killers of the Flower Moon” soundtrack. Unlike most directors who spot the movie first and then have the composer create the music, Scorsese and Robertson had a different approach. They discussed the sound and atmosphere they wanted to convey in the film, resulting in a collaborative process where Robertson would provide Scorsese with different pieces of music, and they would carefully choose the right ones for each scene.
The conversation further delved into Scorsese’s deep admiration for Robertson’s background, in particular his mother’s Native Canadian heritage. Scorsese shared that Robertson grew up on a Native American reservation and had firsthand experiences of life on the reservation. This insight allowed him to accurately capture the essence of the indigenous people in the film. Scorsese spoke highly of Lily Gladstone, one of the actors in the movie, praising her powerful performance and ability to convey emotions through her eyes.
The director also discussed the involvement of Native American leaders from the Osage Nation in the film. He explained that it was crucial to have their authentic voices and perspectives rather than relying on actors to portray their experiences. Scorsese highlighted a powerful unscripted scene between one of the leaders, Ernest Ett Waller, and Chief Standing Bear in the Roundhouse. This emotional conversation touched upon the tragic history of the Osage people and their displacement due to the discovery of oil on their land.
Throughout the interview, Scorsese’s passion for storytelling and filmmaking was evident. He shared personal anecdotes and reflected on the importance of capturing true experiences and emotions on screen. Despite not being able to attend 7 a.m. Mass as an altar boy because he was always late, Scorsese expressed his gratitude for the positive impact his former priest had on him. He also touched on the religious themes present in many of his movies.
As the interview concluded, Scorsese encouraged viewers to watch “Killers of the Flower Moon” as it opens in theaters and IMAX on Friday. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, tells a gripping and tragic story based on true events. Scorsese’s passion and dedication to his craft were evident as he discussed his collaboration with Robertson and the challenges of bringing the Osage people’s story to life.
Martin Scorsese‘s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was an exciting glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest directors of all time. His enthusiasm for filmmaking and commitment to portraying stories authentically left viewers eagerly anticipating the release of “Killers of the Flower Moon.”