Listen to the article

Cinema often shines a light on history. Such is the case with Killers of the Flower Moon, the latest magnum opus by American director Martin Scorsese. Set to premiere on October 20 in the United States and two days earlier in France, the film delves into a grim chapter of American history: the systematic murders of the Osage tribe in early 20th-century Oklahoma, driven by greed for their oil riches.

Historically rooted in the Ohio River Valley and the Mississippi, the Osage tribe were forcibly relocated to the less hospitable lands of Oklahoma by the late 19th century. But they had a unique stipulation over their land: they held exclusive ownership over any mineral resources discovered therein.

A landmark agreement was inked in 1906 with the US federal government: the rights to exploit minerals, notably oil, could not be transferred, sold or even tapped by an external party without the Osage tribe’s consent.

The discovery of a lucrative oil field in their territory catapulted their economic status. In 1923, their revenues soared to the equivalent of over 400 million present-day dollars. This sudden influx of wealth, far from being a blessing, became a magnet for the greed of white pioneers and led to a series of tragic events.

The Reign of Terror: A Bloody Era for the Osages

Between 1921 and 1925, the Osage community was plagued by a wave of murders and unexplained deaths. The victims, predominantly from affluent families, seemed to be targeted for their wealth. Mollie Kyle Burkhart watched as her family was decimated: assassinations, poisoning, explosions – the tragedies seemed never to end.

The authorities’ response was tardy at best. Yet as the events got increasingly severe, the Bureau of Investigation (the precursor to the FBI) took action in 1925. The investigation eventually uncovered a nefarious plot led by Mollie’s white husband, Ernest Burkhart, and his uncle William Hale. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment for masterminding several of these murders with the intent to inherit the Osages’ oil rights.

David Grann, author of The American Note, termed this phase “a series of large-scale murders,” highlighting the role of external actors eager to seize the Osages’ rights.

The Past Resurfaces

Today, while the Osages’ oil windfalls have significantly dwindled, a considerable portion of the exploitation rights lies with non-Osages. Nonetheless, this harrowing period remains etched in the tribe’s collective memory, which played an active role in Scorsese’s film production. The director, true to form, ensured an authentic portrayal by incorporating Osage actors and elements intrinsic to the tribe’s culture.

Beyond its entertainment value, this film prompts reflection on greed, racism and exploitation while paying tribute to a community that suffered grievously in the shadows of American history.

With AFP