Lily Gladstone, fresh off her Leading Actress Oscar nomination for her role in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” is now delving into the world of science fiction with her upcoming movie “The Memory Police.” This new project will see her working once again with Scorsese, who is set to executive produce the film. During a Q&A session following a screening of “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Gladstone described “The Memory Police” as a story that takes place on an unnamed island, at an unnamed place, and an unnamed time, making it a film that exists nowhere and yet everywhere.
Directed by Reed Morano and with a script by Charlie Kaufman, adapted from Yōko Ogawa’s novel of the same name, “The Memory Police” promises to be a unique sci-fi experience. Gladstone emphasized that while the film may be labeled as sci-fi, it follows the tradition of Kaufman’s previous works like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Synecdoche, New York,” delving into themes of memory and authoritarianism. In Ogawa’s novel, the story revolves around a writer living on an island where a hidden force causes people to forget collectively, leading some to risk everything to hold onto their memories.
As the first Native American woman to be Oscar-nominated, Gladstone has been making waves in the industry. Her portrayal of Mollie Kyle in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a story of betrayal and greed within the Osage Nation, has garnered critical acclaim, earning her the Lead Actress Golden Globe and SAG nominations. Gladstone’s upcoming indie film “Fancy Dance,” directed by Erica Tremblay, has also been picked up by Apple Original Films for distribution. In this film, she plays Jax, a woman on a mission to reunite her family by searching for her missing sister.
Gladstone’s interest in “The Memory Police” lies in its universal themes that resonate with cultures that have faced efforts to erase their identities. In the film, birds are disappeared as they are deemed unnecessary, drawing a parallel to the erasure of cultural memories and languages. She sees the film as a reflection of the systemic challenges many communities have faced throughout history.
In addition to her film work, Gladstone is also involved in several other projects. She is set to star in Morrisa Maltz’s “Jazzy,” a companion piece to Maltz’s “The Unknown Country,” a project she co-wrote and starred in. Furthermore, she is part of the limited television series “Under the Bridge,” alongside Riley Keough, Anoop Desai, and Archie Panjabi, which follows the true story of a murdered teenage girl and the teenagers accused of her killing, slated for release on April 27th.
Lily Gladstone’s transition from award-winning dramas to the realm of science fiction showcases her versatility as an actress. With her ability to embody complex characters and tackle challenging themes, she continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences across different genres. As she ventures into new territories in her career, Gladstone remains a talent to watch in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood.