Thomas Nellen (‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ makeup department head): ‘Authenticity was a key word’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

“Even if I didn’t have time, I would have made myself time to be involved in this movie,” says Thomas Nellen, the makeup department head for Martin Scorsese‘s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” “This was like a dream come true. I have to say, I did not know anything about the Osage Nation, being born and raised in Switzerland. We heard about the indigenous people, but I had never heard of such a gruesome story.”

We talked with Nellen as part of Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&A event with 2023/2024 awards contenders. Watch our exclusive video interview above.

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SEE ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ co-producer Justine Conte on respecting ‘the ongoing trauma’ of the Osage people 

“Killers of the Flower Moon” stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro. When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one – until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.

Nellen explains an extraordinary amount of research was done to ensure the film was authentic and respectful to the Osage Nation. “Authenticity was a key word,” he says. “We had incredible consultants. For me it was important that some of [the characters] were more natural or traditional. Then, of course, we had the French influence, the European fashion influence during the 20s. Because of the mineral rights, they found oil and became the richest people in the world. So, a lot of people would wear French clothing and fashionable makeup and hairstyles. Yet, at the same time they would always wear their blankets as a traditional thing.”

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