Robert De Niro slams Donald Trump at Killer’s Flower Moon press conference in Cannes – Misc

Getty Images

Robert De Niro slammed Donald Trump as a “stupid” man during the Cannes Film Festival press conference for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” comparing the former president to the devious tough guy he portrays in Martin Scorsese’s crime epic, which premiered Saturday night.

De Niro admits he struggled to connect with William Hill, saying “I don’t understand a lot about my character. Part of it is honest. The other part is where he cheats.” [the Osage tribe], there is a sense of entitlement. We are becoming more aware [of that dichotomy] After George Floyd is accused of systemic racism.

De Niro, a frequent and outspoken critic of the former president, drew parallels between his character and Trump, whose name the actor initially refused to aloud at the news conference. “This guy is stupid,” he said.

One of the most popular films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of the murders that took place in the early 1920s after large oil deposits were discovered on the soil of the Osage country. The movie, which is based on the 2017 novel by David Grann, also depicts how the newly formed FBI investigated the killings.

Noting that Osage members still attend William Hale’s funeral, Lily Gladstone, who plays Osage tribe member Molly Burkhart, continues to deny his involvement in the brutal murders of members of the tribe. De Niro, once again, has Trump triggered a response with this kind of blind allegiance to the bad guy. “There are people who still think he can do a good job. Imagine how crazy that is.”

In the case of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Scorsese’s longtime collaborator, Leonardo DiCaprio, praised the director’s ability to capture this kind of banality of evil. “What Marty does so well is he’s able to expose the humanity of even the most deranged and evil character you could ever imagine.”

At the star-studded premiere of Saturday Night, Scorsese was joined on the red carpet by the famous DiCaprio, De Niro, Jesse Plemons, and Gladstone, as well as members of the Osage. Before they entered the mansion, DiCaprio and Scorsese faithfully signed autographs and snapped selfies with groups of fans lined up on and around the Croisette. Although the crime epic ran for three hours and 26 minutes, it was met with standing ovations in the palace, where Scorsese and crew were embraced with a 9-minute standing ovation.

“It was the culmination of years of work,” Scorsese said, referring to his emotional response to the evening. Gladstone, who plays the wife of DiCaprio’s character Ernest Burkhardt, received some boisterous cheers as the credits rolled on “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Of the audience’s reaction to the film, she said, “It just felt fair.”

Scorsese talked about the importance of spending time with Osage people, as well as filming on location. “When the book was presented to me,” he said, “I said if we go anywhere near the indigenous peoples, we must be very respectful.”

Osage Nation president Jeffrey Standing Bear, who acted as a consultant and joined the director and actor at the press conference, believes Scorsese has delivered on that promise. My people suffered greatly. And to this day, those influences are still with us. But I can say on behalf of the Osage, the trust has been restored by Marty and his team, and we know that trust will not be betrayed.”