Star says at Cannes film festival that the evil man he plays in new film reminds him of the former US president
Robert De Niro, the renowned Hollywood star, did not mince his words when it came to expressing his views on former US President Donald Trump.
While promoting his latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, at the prestigious Cannes film festival, De Niro took the opportunity to denounce Trump and draw comparisons between the ex-president and his own sinister on-screen character.
Playing the role of William Hale, a deceitful individual who betrays a Native American tribe, De Niro not only labeled Trump as “stupid,” but he also deemed any faith in his capabilities as “insane.”
With his fellow filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Leonardo Di Caprio by his side, De Niro highlighted the resemblance between Trump and his villainous character, asserting that they both exhibit the “banality of evil.”
Elaborating on the concept, De Niro explained that the trait shared by his character and Trump is a sense of entitlement, something that became more evident after the tragic death of George Floyd, which sparked a heightened awareness of systemic racism.
Drawing attention to the present day, De Niro remarked, “We all know who I’m going to talk about. Because that guy is stupid. Imagine if he was smart.”
De Niro’s scathing criticism of Trump is not new, as he has previously voiced his disapproval of the former president.
In this instance, his comments emerged within a discussion about the moral implications of his latest character, William Hale, who betrayed the Osage nation—a real-life figure entangled in a series of crimes against Native Americans in the early 20th century.
Killers of the Flower Moon, directed by Scorsese and starring Di Caprio, premiered at Cannes and received glowing reviews.
The film, based on a book of the same name, delves into the treacherous acts committed against the Osage tribe.
Native American actress Lily Gladstone, in the lead role, received a standing ovation that lasted an impressive nine minutes.
Scorsese, known for his collaborations with Di Caprio and De Niro in acclaimed mob films like Goodfellas and The Irishman, intends to continue exploring the experiences of Native American people.
In fact, he has already revealed plans to adapt the non-fiction work Pipe for February, authored by a member of the Osage nation.
During the production of Killers of the Flower Moon, Scorsese and his team worked closely with the Osage nation to ensure utmost accuracy and respect.
Tribal leader Chief Standing Bear commended the filmmakers, emphasizing that they had restored trust and highlighting the dedication of the Hollywood stars involved.
Scorsese’s deep fascination with the Osage people prompted him to include as much detail as possible about their way of life in the film, despite the limitations of a three-and-a-half-hour runtime.
He was particularly moved by the values of love, respect, and care for the earth that he encountered within the community, remarking that it profoundly influenced his perspective on living on this planet.
“I wanted to know everything I could about the Osage. It’s overwhelming. The more I found out, the more I wanted to put in,” Scorsese revealed, underscoring his commitment to portraying their story authentically.
