Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” made a grand entrance at the Cannes Film Festival, captivating the audience and earning an impressive nine-minute standing ovation. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone, the movie premiered on Saturday, May 20th, 2023, to resounding applause and praise.
Based on the bestselling book by David Grann and adapted for the screen by Eric Roth and Scorsese himself, “Killers of the Flower Moon” transports viewers to 1920s Oklahoma. The film revolves around the chilling true story of the serial murders targeting members of the Osage Nation, a wealthy Native American community known for their oil wealth, in what became infamously known as the Reign of Terror.
Despite its lengthy runtime of three hours and 26 minutes and a delayed start of 45 minutes, the film held the audience spellbound. The moment the credits rolled, the mesmerized crowd rose to their feet, applauding passionately for an extraordinary nine minutes, showcasing their appreciation for the exceptional storytelling and performances on display.
For DiCaprio, this marks a return to the Cannes Film Festival since his appearance in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” in 2019. Meanwhile, acclaimed director Martin Scorsese made his long-awaited comeback to the festival after almost four decades since his last presence with “After Hours” in 1985.
According to Variety, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the festival, generating substantial buzz and attracting Hollywood’s brightest talents to celebrate the art of filmmaking in the picturesque setting of the South of France.
The red carpet event was a star-studded affair, with notable appearances by DiCaprio, De Niro, and Scorsese, who were joined by Jesse Plemons and his wife Kirsten Dunst. Among the attendees showing their support were DiCaprio’s close friend Tobey McGuire, renowned actress Cate Blanchett, François Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek, director Michael Gracey, Robbie Williams, Naomi Campbell, Irina Shayk, and Riccardo Tisci, among others.
The overwhelmingly positive response to “Killers of the Flower Moon” at Cannes not only validates the anticipation surrounding the film but also highlights the collective admiration for the stellar performances and Scorsese’s masterful direction. As the audience basked in the extraordinary cinematic experience, the film left an indelible mark, setting high expectations for its wider release and potential future accolades.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” has established itself as a prominent contender and a standout moment at the Cannes Film Festival, affirming its place among the most highly anticipated and celebrated films of the year. With its compelling narrative, powerhouse cast, and the visionary talents of Scorsese at the helm, the film promises to captivate audiences worldwide when it hits theaters in the near future.
