Filming is set to begin today in Oklahoma on Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a highly anticipated film set to make state history while recounting one of its tragic chapters.

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office and Apple Original Films announced Monday afternoon that principal photography on “Killers of the Flower Moon” is scheduled to begin Monday in Oklahoma, where filming will center in Bartlesville, Pawhuska and Osage County.

Originally from Apple Studios, the film is directed and produced by Scorsese, an Oscar-winning icon known for films like “The Irishman”, “The Departed” and “Taxi Driver”.

“We are delighted to finally begin production of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ in Oklahoma,” Scorsese said in a statement. “Being able to tell this story about the territory where these events took place is extremely important and essential in enabling us to portray an accurate representation of time and people. … We are excited to begin working with our cast and local crew to bring this story to life on screen and capture a moment in American history that should not be forgotten. “

Historical accuracy

Scorsese expressed his gratitude to the Osage Nation consultants and cultural advisors who helped prepare production for filming, which is expected to run through the summer.

Adapted from David Grann’s 2018 New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film will chronicle the murders of citizens of the Osage Nation. in 1920s Oklahoma, after the oil boom made them rich.

“My biggest hope with the book project was that it would fill in some of those blanks in our consciousness. A book can touch so many people, but a movie can touch even more. And I think it’s in the hands of people who seem to really care about getting it right, being sensitive and being genuine, ”Grann told The Oklahoman in an interview in Oklahoma City in 2020.

“The decision to shoot here in Oklahoma, I think, is a really big step in that direction.”

“The Osage, I always say they know their story intimately,” Grann added. “They know that part of their story; they know what happened. But far too many of us didn’t.”

In addition to helping the production locate numerous sites across the state, the tribal leaders introduced the filmmakers to cultural historians, local artisans, and citizens of the Osage Nations to ensure the film portrays honestly and authentically the story of real life. Chief Geoffrey M. Standing Bear has appointed Chad Renfro as the Tribe’s Ambassador for Production.

“In recent meetings with Senators from Oklahoma and the Representative House of Representatives, I emphasized how their support for the film industry has made a difference,” Standing Bear said in a statement. “Funding from the state of Oklahoma along with the efforts of the Osage Nation has proven to be a big draw for this particular film.”

High level project

Although production has been delayed for a year due to the pandemic, interest is arguably as intense as ever as filming begins for “Killers of the Flower Moon”, which features a cast of Hollywood stars, respected native actors and even a few Grammy Awards. winners. The high-profile project will reunite Scorsese with Oscar-winning icons Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio – two of his frequent collaborators who have never been in any of his feature films together.

The cast also includes Primetime Emmy Award nominee Jesse Plemons (“Fargo”, “Black Mirror”); Indigenous actors Lily Gladstone, Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Jillian Dion and Tatanka Means; and singer-songwriters Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson.

Economic impact

In a recent interview with Collider, Roth, who has been working on the project for about five years, called “Killers of the Flower Moon” “one for the ages.”

With its announced budget of $ 200 million, Scorsese’s highly anticipated factual West is considered the biggest film production ever to be undertaken in Oklahoma – and with the industry still trying to come back from the pandemic, it could be the biggest. film made in the United States. States this year.

“The hosting of the largest Oklahoma film in state history is about to begin and it means a lot to the state of Oklahoma to bring this film to its historical origin, which has already having a huge impact on rural communities and small businesses, ”said Lt. Gov of Oklahoma,” Matt Pinnell said in a statement.

The project has been conditionally prequalified to use the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program administered by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, which strives to ensure the film can be filmed in historically accurate locations. of Oklahoma, since screen adaptation rights were first secured in 2016.

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office has also partnered with Apple Studios to help fill hundreds of production jobs for the project and run a Crew Development Program with a mission to provide basic training in standards of industry and field experience to further develop the local. the workforce in the Oklahoma film industry.

So far, dozens of production assistants have been hired to join this program, participating in mentoring sessions with the “Killers of the Flower Moon” team. This is one aspect of the four-part series that will kick off the professional development of participants while working on the high-level project.

While in Oklahoma, the production is expected to spend millions of dollars on local businesses through hotel room reservations, building materials, equipment rentals, catering, and more.

“We are an oil town, in addition to tourism, sports and recreation, all of these contribute to visitors’ money. We certainly had a very slow year with the rest of the country last year. people who… call and say, “Why can’t I book a room?” “Maria Gus, Executive Director of Visit Bartlesville, told The Oklahoman.

Early estimates from “Killers of the Flower Moon” indicate an economic impact of $ 24 million, including $ 10 million in projected visitor spending, over $ 367,000 in sales tax generated and around $ 150,000 in tax. hosting, according to Gus.

In addition, the Bartlesville Development Authority leases a large space in the old Siemens building from Apple Studios as a production headquarters.

“It’s a really unique situation in … a movie of this size and scope in the state of Oklahoma,” Gus said.