Martin Scorsesemade history with his Academy Award nomination for directingKillers of the Flower Moon. The prolific filmmaker, whose directorial credits span decades, earned his 10th Best Director nod, making him the most-nominated living director in Oscars history. Scorsese and Steven Spielberg previously shared the record. Scorsese opened up about the record-making accomplishment during an appearance onThe Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
“For this particular film too, it’s so exciting. But more than that, because the picture means so much to me, and it took a number of years for gestation. I mean, you look back. Ten nominations over the years. I honestly don’t know how that happened. I don’t know, because you never make films for awards. You make the film the best way you’re able to make them. I’m very pleased that so many people have been nominated for the film, including Robbie Robertson, his wonderful score and the song they have in the film. This is something very special. Lily Gladstone, of course. Amazing. And Bob de Niro too. I’m sad about Leo [DiCaprio]. I would’ve liked to have seen him in there as Best Actor, but his presence is there; it’s pivotal to the picture and the work.”
You can see Scorsese onThe Late Showbelow.
Killers of the Flower Moon, based on a 2017 book by David Grann, shares the real-life atrocities committed against the Osage Nation, an Oklahoma-based tribe, throughout the 1920s. After oil was discovered on their land, corrupt conspirators sought to steal their wealth, resulting in a series of murders. Scorsese collaborated with Osage Nation members to bring the film and the tragic events to light, as his desire was toretell the story in the most authentic way.
William Wyler, who passed away in 1981, still holds the record for most directing nominations with 12. Given thatScorsese has several upcoming projects lined up, we may see him meet or exceed that record, too.
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Killers of the Flower Moon’s Presence at the 95th Academy Awards
Killers of the Flower Moonis nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Actress (for Gladstone), Best Supporting Actor (for De Niro), Original Score, and Cinematography. Scorsese, who received a Best Director Oscar once before (for 2006’s The Departed), is up against Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall), Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer), Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things) and Jonathan Glazer (The Zone of Interest).
Gladstone also made history with her nomination, becoming the first Native American to receive a Best Actress nod. Gladstone, who won a Golden Globe and is nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, is largely considered the front-runner in this year’s Best Actress Oscars race. One notable omission from the film’s Oscar nominations is DiCaprio, who stars as Ernest Burkhart, the husband to Gladstone’s Mollie. About the snub, Scorsese toldVariety:
“He went so far into the complexities and contradictions of a man who was so weak, so malleable, who did such unspeakable things, but who also truly loved his wife. Leo fearlessly created a true Everyman … an Everyman that people just don’t want to acknowledge. So that will endure."
The 95th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, will air on Sunday, March 12, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
