Sterlin Harjo & Ethan Hawke Discuss 'The Lowdown' at The Atlantic Festival

The Genesis of 'The Lowdown'

• 💡 Sterlin Harjo aims to challenge expectations for stories set in the American heartland, specifically Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his new series "The Lowdown."
• 🎯 The series is inspired by citizen journalist Lee Raybon, who, like Leroy Chapman, pursued truth fearlessly, even when confronting difficult historical truths like the Tulsa race massacre.
• 🔑 Harjo emphasizes that confronting both the light and dark aspects of truth is crucial for societal change and personal growth.

Ethan Hawke's Connection to Complex Characters

• 🎭 Ethan Hawke discusses his attraction to playing independent, unpredictable characters, seeing them as reflections of himself and a part of the American male archetype.
• 🧠 He likens Lee Raybon to a "Don Quixote," a character dedicated to truth but prone to blind spots and self-deception.
• 📚 Hawke highlights the significance of bookstores as sacred spaces for ideas, resonating with Lee Raybon's character.

Truth, Contradiction, and Character Writing

• 💬 Writing Lee Raybon involved balancing his contradictions—sanctimonious yet good, insufferable yet charming—to keep the audience engaged.
• 🥊 Harjo notes that showing a character get "beat up" like in noir films or boxing movies, combined with the audience's affection for Ethan Hawke, helps make the character relatable.
• 👨‍👧 Both Harjo and Hawke, as fathers of daughters, connected with Lee's role as a father and the struggle to balance artistic ambition with family life.

The Importance of Tulsa and Authentic Storytelling

• ✈️ Ethan Hawke found Tulsa to be a unique and inspiring place, experiencing a strong sense of community gratitude and creative joy during his time on "Reservation Dogs."
• 💖 He describes Tulsa as a city with deep historical pain, particularly surrounding the race massacre, but also a place with immense love, warmth, and a vibrant arts scene.
• 🌟 Harjo, who started at the Sundance Lab, faced initial industry skepticism about "Native films" but persevered, inspired by voices like Robert Redford advocating for new perspectives.

Navigating the Industry and Artistic Drive

• ✊ Harjo views the fight for diverse storytelling as ongoing but worthwhile, believing his unique perspective as a descendant of Trail of Tears survivors offers valuable insights.
• 🤝 He and Ethan Hawke met while collaborating on a project about the Apache and Geronimo, which, though not yet made, led to their partnership on "The Lowdown."
• ✨ What keeps them going as artists is curiosity, a love of life, staying in touch with idealism, and combining it with the wisdom gained through experience, finding joy and gratitude on set.