One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Turns 50: A Celebration

“And the Oscar goes to…” at the 48th Academy Awards in 1976, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) achieved a feat that only two other films share: winning the Big Five at the Academy Awards — Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and of course, Best Picture. Based on Oregon author Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel of the same name, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was released in theaters 50 years ago. Having worked on set, Katherine K’iya Wilson helped bring one of the most well-regarded films of all time to life. “When Kesey published One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, it changed the world,” Wilson says. The novel and film hold a special place in her heart for finally dismantling the “silent Indian” trope that had long been cast over Native people in movies and television. Will Sampson is an actor from the Muscogee Nation who plays Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Bromden is a Native character whose ancestors were from the Celilo Falls area, and he pushes back against the film industry’s limited view of Native Americans in 1975 and before. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, a reception will be held with a panel, which includes Wilson, followed by a screening of the film.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 50th Anniversary Celebration is 5 pm Saturday, Dec. 6, at Art House, 492 East 13th Avenue. Tickets are $25 and are available at EugeneArtHouse.com.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!