As I said in yesterday’s Rihanna T Magazine story, the new issue of T Magazine has multiple covers and cover stories featuring a wide range of “The Greats.” The new Great is Quentin Tarantino, who simply is incapable of giving an uninteresting interview. Yes, he’s cocky and judgmental and somewhat bitchy. But he’s also funny, passionate and incisive. Quentin’s piece was written by Bret Easton Ellis and I have to admit… this piece was simply better than the Rihanna piece. Miranda July wrote Rihanna’s piece and it was mostly about Miranda July. BEE makes it about QT, which is the correct way to write a profile. I learned that QT drives a yellow 2006 Mustang GT and he still listens to mix tapes. I learned that he loves going to the New Beverly Cinema, which he owns. He loves watching movies with an audience. He loves talking to his young fans and he’ll spend hours chatting with them. You can read the full piece here. Some highlights:
His thoughts on David Fincher: “Even when I don’t like his movies I walk around thinking about them for a week or so.”
Thoughts on Wes Anderson: “The Grand Budapest Hotel is not really my thing, but I kind of loved it. The fact that I wasn’t a die-hard fan before made me even more happy that I could finally embrace him.”
Thoughts on Judd Apatow: “His audience is getting smaller and smaller but I think he’s getting better and better.”
How much it cost to make The Hateful Eight: “I think we spent 60-something million on ‘Hateful Eight,’ which is actually more than I wanted to spend but we had weather problems. And I wanted to make it good.’’
When Inglorious Basterds lost Oscars to The Hurt Locker in 2010: “It bugged me that Mark Boal won Best Screenplay for that movie. The Kathryn Bigelow thing — I got it. Look, it was exciting that a woman had made such a good war film, and it was the first movie about the Iraq War that said something. And it wasn’t like I lost to something dreadful. It’s not like ‘E.T.’ losing to ‘Gandhi.’”
On Ava DuVernay and ‘Selma’: “She did a really good job on ‘Selma’ but ‘Selma’ deserved an Emmy.’’
On the criticism he receives for his racially-charged films: “If you’ve made money being a critic in black culture in the last 20 years you have to deal with me. You must have an opinion of me. You must deal with what I’m saying and deal with the consequences. If you sift through the criticism, you’ll see it’s pretty evenly divided between pros and cons. But when the black critics came out with savage think pieces about ‘Django,’ I couldn’t have cared less. If people don’t like my movies, they don’t like my movies, and if they don’t get it, it doesn’t matter. The bad taste that was left in my mouth had to do with this: It’s been a long time since the subject of a writer’s skin was mentioned as often as mine. You wouldn’t think the color of a writer’s skin should have any effect on the words themselves. In a lot of the more ugly pieces my motives were really brought to bear in the most negative way. It’s like I’m some supervillain coming up with this stuff.”
But he’s an optimist about race discussions: “This is the best time to push buttons. This is the best time to get out there because there actually is a genuine platform. Now it’s being talked about.’’
I find QT the most interesting when he’s dissecting other directors and writers. He’s right that Mark Boal really should not have won an Oscar for The Hurt Locker’s screenplay. THL was a good movie and I think it was important to recognize Bigelow’s achievement in directing, which was stellar, as were the performances. But the screenplay wasn’t really that great. And I get what he’s saying about Selma too – if it had been a TV movie, it would have swept the awards. As a film, Ava did a good job but it did get lost in the shuffle of the “bigger” movies.
As for the racial stuff… I think his race/whiteness is completely relevant to the larger discussion about how he and his films handle race. I feel like QT is coming dangerously close to pulling out some “white people can be the victims of racism too” card and to that I say… NO. In this particular instance, for Tarantino specifically, it’s not racist or odd or off-topic to discuss his race in context of his racially charged films. He just doesn’t want to be told that he “should not” use particular words or deal with particular issues because he’s a white man, and on that, he’s correct. But the criticism against him is fair, and I hope he acknowledges that.
Photos courtesy of T Magazine, WENN.
Only a white man can say race is irrelevant. Of course it is for him. But as people of color (black, Asian, brown) our race/ethnicity is not irrelevant.
Nice coded langues by referring to black critics as savages. QT loves the N-word. He uses it often and gratuitously in his writing. Is it wrong that black people find it suspicious? And why does he always get so defensive when people point it out? Waaah, why won’t these savage black people not let me use a dehumanizing word? Waaah.
*black criticism as savaged
Is he using it gratuitously though? I have a hard time with this one (I go back and forth) because while I detest the word, it always seems to make sense in the context it’s being used. Sometimes it’s a homage to older films. Sometimes it’s being used as slang among people who would use it as slang, sometimes it’s reflective of the time period, sometimes it’s to make people uncomfortable. Gratuitously seems to suggest that he hasn’t thought about its meaning or inclusion and one thing I don’t think most people can accuse of Quentin Tarantino of being is mindless in his use of language. There always seems to be a reason. Perhaps that’s not good enough though to justify the use. I don’t know. Like I said, I waver.
I can understand why it upsets others but I think his attitude about it is right – if people don’t like his is movie, they don’t like it.
@Farah I think from QT’s point of view, his race IS irrelevant. If you are white, living in the west then your race doesn’t seem to affect your daily life. However, if you are BME then it might well affect your daily life, or how others behave towards you, in a more obvious way.
A large part of challenging this institutionalised racism in our culture is actually acknowledging if you’re white, that you have a privilege. So it doesn’t surprise me that the majority of people who say ‘race is irrelevant’ are white.
There are some interesting articles online about ‘white fragility’ if you’re interested in this line of thinking.
I think this also applies to the way that he views woman as well – substitute ‘male’ for white and ‘female’ for BME.
I hope that eventually this ‘old (white) boys club’ will die out in Hollywood but it’s tricky because the people in power want to status quo to continue. So it’s up to others (like us) to make change by continually challenging careless statements like ‘race is irrelevant’ and language equating black cultural with savagery. Society has to be challenged to change.
I have never heard him say the N-word in real life. If he did, we would know. Can you show me proof of him using the N-word like how Paula Deen and Hulk Hogan did?
He loves the N-word? Right, just like how Kanye West and Jay-Z do right? When they rap the N-word, rap about raping women, killing cops its okay then right? Unbelievable.
Ni**a and Ni***r are two different words. One is AAVE slang, one is a racial slur. They are spelled differently, used differently and have different meanings.
Confusing, I know.
At least his work starts an actual dialogue. I would rather his films be divisive, than be Fast and Furious 15: A Romantic Comedy In Space starring Justin Bieber.
And the man can pick a soundtrack.
@ummm
There is no difference actually. You are just defending certain people from using while getting upset at others for using it too. Thats all. Its called having double standards. Its nice to know you are okay that word being used by a certain groups ( Kanye, Jay-Z, Chris Brown) to make a profit or in real life and turn the blind eye on it while getting upset and angry at someone like Tarentiono ( who has never said it before but uses it in his work only).
I think you are stretching by calling out his use of the phrase “savage think pieces” as coded language. He is not referring to critics themselves as “savages.” I admit, the word did stick out to me as I read it, but I think his use of the term is exactly right in context.
It’s not even debatable whether but how ignorant he is in his racism and sexism. He loves to dismiss anything women achieve, he did in another interview with movies about women and now he devalues female directors.
He is part of Hollywood’s boys club who can’t stand women anywhere near a position of power.
His movie are nothing but white men’s violent fantasies.
“It bugged me that Mark Boal won Best Screenplay for that movie. The Kathryn Bigelow thing — I got it. Look, it was exciting that a woman had made such a good war film, and it was the first movie about the Iraq War that said something. And it wasn’t like I lost to something dreadful. It’s not like ‘E.T.’ losing to ‘Gandhi.’
He’s quite explicitly acknowledging Bigelow’s work here.
He’s also subtly implying that a large reason she got her award is because she’s a woman. I think that’s also quite clear.
Are you seriously not getting that he is saying she only got the Oscar because the Academy lowered themselves to award a woman?
The comment about Selma too.
Read between the lines. He is arrogant and slams everyone, but especially women.
Eh, I don’t see it that clearly. Quentin has proved over and over again he’s not the type of guy who sugar coats his messages. If he wanted to imply Bigelow won for being a woman I think he would’ve just said so. To me it seems he lost, she won, and he thought “well, she was good at least”.
I watched Selma. It was an alright movie. No better than The Imitation Game, no worse. Typical and formulaic Hollywood biopic that brought nothing new to the table. I don’t see how describing it as a TV movie is so awful and offensive
It’s completely clear that he’s saying she got it because she’s a woman. Imagine, a women making a good war movie! How obvious do you need it to be?
Completely apart from the main topic, but I’m still trying to parse his comment about “Gandhi.” Is he really saying that “Gandhi” was a terrible movie? And ITA with GNAT– he is saying she only got awarded because she’s a woman. I also actually sort of think what he’s saying is kind of relevant about the race thing, but a white man can’t really complain too much about “reverse racism.” You want to compare a few negative reviews to all the benefits you’ve received due to institutionalized prejudice? Have a few seats, Quent. I think he’s done some good work toward diversity, especially compared to a majority of white filmmakers, but not so much that he can whine about prejudice against him.
@GNAT
As obvious and clear as the rest of the remarks he makes on other directors are. He had no problem calling black critics “savages” (lack of filter isn’t always a good thing). I don’t see why he wouldn’t just flat-out say Bigelow won for being a woman.
Josefa, I hear you, but to me, he DID flat out say she got it because she was a women. We are just reading it differently. I could be wrong.
@GNAT
And I totally understand why it could be interpreted as that. But Quentin doesn’t throw sarcastic shades, he just says stuff. If anything, I can agree it’s sexist he thought women wouldn’t be that good doing war movies. But I think that’s quite some steps away from saying she was awarded purely because of it.
All he said was that it was “exciting that a woman made such a good war film”. As I stated below, he has praised Kathryn’s work many times. He NEVER says that he didn’t think she’d be good at it. It was exciting because the industry doesn’t think that Kathryn (or any woman) should be good at it.
As a woman in the industry, a cinephile, a Kathryn fan, a war movie fan… I mean, does no one else remember that Oscar race? I feel like it was constantly brought up how unique the situation was because she has continually made films in what are (sadly) thought of as male genres. The barriers to women in the industry are real. Yes, it falls along genre lines. Yes, you get offered more romantic comedies and what bigwigs think of as “women’s pictures” than anything else. So the fact that she always defied that was, as Quentin said, exciting.
@Kay THIS!
He can’t stand women and hates blacks? He is one of the few directors who writes amazing roles for women/blacks and gives leading parts to women/blacks too. What nonsense you are speaking.
@Mia Please. Let’s stop pretending this man doesn’t have some issues. Making Django and throwing Sam Jackson in everything doesn’t mean you don’t have some major hang ups like his obsession with the n word.
@ renee 28
Can you show me actual proof of QT being a racist or saying racist things in his real life? If he were a racist he would not be giving roles to colored folks and making an excuse for it like how Ridly Scott does. I think QT is a brilliant filmmaker and its sad how a bunch of close minded pll on CB cannot see that. He is one of the few directors who write good roles for women/blacks and helps them to get lead roles.
I think you bringing up Samuel L Jackson and Dijango shows its you guys who are racist. Just like Kanye West and his other little band of racists like Jay-Z. If you wanna get mad at folks using the N-word, go get mad at them. Its them to uses it in their songs, call each other that word, teach it to young children and teens and help to keep racism alive when they do it. QT educates people with his movies atleast. He doesn’t use the N-word in real life you know. Like Kanye and Jay-Z do.
@Mia
The fact you have a well-developed PoC or female lead in your movie doesn’t mean the way it’s portrayed isn’t racist. You don’t have to positively hate all black people to be racist.
“He is part of Hollywood’s boys club who can’t stand women anywhere near a position of power.”
Wait… what? Some women in positions of power on his films: His longtime editor Sally Menke who he called his number one collaborator. After her sudden passing, he contemplated not making another film. Stacey Sher who produced Pulp Fiction, Django, and his upcoming film. Pilar Savone who started out as an assistant director on Jackie Brown and has worked with him six more times. Shannon McIntosh, another producer who has worked with him multiple times. Yes, it’s a boys’ club but I think Tarantino is more of an ally than an enemy.
“The Kathryn Bigelow thing — I got it. Look, it was exciting that a woman had made such a good war film, and it was the first movie about the Iraq War that said something.”
I interpreted this as, “I get why the Academy gave Kathryn the Oscar. Because it was exciting (to them) that a woman had made such a good war film (because most war films are made by, for, and about men and so it was exciting that a woman broke through and showed all the guys up).” As a woman with a degree in film history and a screenwriting background… men in the industry expect me to be interested in romantic comedies or quirky indie pics, not gritty dramas, gangster movies, or Westerns. So I agree with him. It WAS exciting to have a woman make such a great war film. It WAS unexpected. She broke the mold.
QT continues to work with powerful women and has praised THL and Kathryn many, many times. I remember reading a QT interview where he mentioned loving her since “Near Dark”. And no, I don’t work with/for him. Never met him. Just a cinephile who remembers that award season and how all of the media around that time was focused on how refreshing it was to have a woman working in a traditionally male sub-genre.
Edited because I’m letting my own frustrations with the industry get the best of me…
I love it that he dares to have an opinion on other filmmakers.
OMG his courage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, that takes balls in an era in which saying you didn’t like a movie equals a “slam” of it and were people twist your words to illogical lengths – seeing sexism in a message that’s explicitly acknowledging a woman’s work.
But that he’s so thin-skinned when critics have an opinion on him. That’s hilarious.
Yes, that’s bothering me. I love QT, but he doesn’t handle discussions well. He loves giving his opinion and that’s it. You’re not really allowed to talk back and have your own opinion if it’s different from his. It really bothers me to the point of not wanting to watch his movies.
“If people don’t like my movies, they don’t like my movies, and if they don’t get it, it doesn’t matter. ”
Doesn’t sound so thin skinned to me. As you probably noticed already, I’m a QT fangirl. I’ve followed him for a while. And I think he handles criticism well, he just doesn’t submit to it. If you don’t like his movies, fine, but he’s not gonna make them different. His movies are perfect for him and his fanbase and that’s what he cares about. I think that’s completely valid.
He does sound very tone deaf regarding race, though. Always been like that. I can give you that.
You may be a fangirl, but you don’t seem to watch and read most of his interviews. Dude does not appreciate a critical journalist.
I love most QT movies, but my god, this guy is so far up his own ass. The patron saint of neckbeard fanboys everywhere.
The whole interview is one long whine.
Lol. Spot on.
I agree as well. I love QT writing but, I don’t think he understood why my people went through and why he should watch his words. “Savages” really dude? Come on Quentin, we are as passionate as you are, but some of us are not as privilege as you are.
Oh and by the way. I am a black and beautiful woman from the Caribbean
Be fair, he didn’t use the word “savages” at all.
*THIS. I’m always explicit when I talk about his films that I like the movies but I do NOT like him. I feel like he tries to beat us all over the head with himself and his taste and how clever he is in all of his movies, but they somehow succeed as films almost despite him.
At this point everyone knows what they’re getting with QT. I can’t work up the outrage. He’s perfectly clear where he stands on everything and everyone apparently. I loved what he said about Judd A! Spot on.
Sorry, NOT Judd A. Where is my brain? Wes Anderson. Proof read! Oy. I actually really don’t like Judd’s work.
The black critics think pieces were “savage”? Wtf most of the think pieces I read about Django, from black people, actually liked the movie. Kinda weird that he wants to openly be a critic to other directors, but can’t allow black critics to write about his work without throwing a little b*tch fit.
So lemme get this straight, This White dude that has Made a career of dropping the N word all over and pop references and women’s feet and who is really Not even getting called out by anyone but Spike Lee (and Most people simply says Uncomfortable BUT ok fine good) is being a titty baby and crying white tears cause he can’t tell “Black Culture” stories to us (laughable that he feels he needs ownership of THAT) like he wants without being questioned on his motives or his viewpoints ???
But..but…you’re mentioning his skin color!! See!?!
He’s no longer hungry and surrounded by yes men. He is pompous and smug, and talented and knowledgeable about film history for sure, but I do not watch his movies, so I really can’t offer an opinion on him and the issues of race.
I saw Pulp Fiction on opening night in the theater and felt sick and disgusted by his use of violence. I understand it is his forte, but I cannot abide by it.
Sidebar: I live next door to Second Line, the sound stage in New Orleans where some of Django was filmed and edited, and saw QT, the crew and actors and extras amid the constructed sets and many horses often shutting down my block during that time. I’m a movie lover but being in “Hollywood South” and living next to Second Line has changed my view of movies — they certainly have lost some of their mystery and magic.
By the way, if you want to have a good awkward cringe, look up the youtube video “Quentin Tarantino is bad at talking to black people.” https://youtu.be/6mzqahILpAs
I do have a problem of unconsciously “sponging” the speech patterns of people to whom I’m speaking, but this is sad.
Whoa. Wow, just wow.
I literally just posted about this and how nauseating he is so glad someone else saw it!
Well… damn.
Say what you want about QT, he’s one of the few filmmakers that give women complex and exciting lead parts.
I agree. People on CB sometimes are way too PC I am sorry to say. QT is not a racist or hates women because he felt the screenplay for THL( which was directed by a woman) did not deserve an Oscar. He is also one of the few directors in Hollywood to constantly give leading roles to blacks, women, and other minorities too. I would like to ask where is this kind of criticism for bigger directors such as Spielberg, Marty, Ridly Scott? They almost never give parts to other actors who are not white or male. Especially Spielberg and Marty. They are Hollywood biggest directors.
Who here is saying he’s racist? Who’s saying he “hates women”?? I think maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic. And people aren’t being politically correct. They’re being correct.
@Ummm, many people here have called him a racist and says that he hates women already.
No you guys are not correct at all. Just ignorantly PC thats all. How are you correct when you ignorantly call Qt a racist( when you can’t even show me any proof of that) and then accept when Kanye or Jay-Z use it? They use it to as a tool and to help to make their money. They are helping to keep racism alive by doing that.
??????????????????????????????????
If you search this article and all the comments (I did) the word “racist” was used by:
Kaiser (explicitly explaining that talking about race is NOT racist)
You (calling people out for saying QT racist)
and me (right now and also above)
You’re literally the ONLY person so far who has called QT racist. I just… just wanted to clear that up. No vitriol. No hate.
I don’t have strong feelings for his films, but he’s delusional if he thinks he can make racially charged content and not get questioned by black critics.
I actually liked Django, but after reading some pieces by those critics he calls “savages”, I had to agree with them that Django wasn’t really the protagonist of his story and he did have elements of white savior complex throughout the movie. I remember reading in an interview that this was also the reason why Will Smith turned out the role .
Also I’m not here for his backhanded compliment to Kathryn Bigelow, dude has always reeked of misogyny to me.
Honestly, I see him as the slightly more direct version of Kanye.
LOL Please, QT has actaul talent whereas Kanye doesn’t. Qt comes across as intelligent too unlike Mr. Kraptashian. If anybody has made a career of using the N-word and other racist words its ppl like Kanye, Jay-Z , Chris Brown, and many other folks in the music industry.
All 7 of Kanye’s albums went platnium. Nominated for 53 Grammys. Walked away with an award 21 times. Just because you don’t like his music doesn’t mean you can declare someone not talented.
Also, Ni**a and Ni***r are TWO DIFFERENT WORDS. One is slang, the other is a racial slur. Also, context. No one gets up-in-arms when Britney says “It’s Britney, bitch!” but if a man like Donald Trump were to call a woman a bitch it would be a totally different scenario.
The issue is complex. I know everyone has a right to their opinions i just think this a more accurate way of assessing black culture (which so many people seem to misunderstand).
Kanye West is an incredible talented. He’s an iconic producer who changed Rap several times. First with by producing Jay Z’s iconic Blueprint album. And again with his own albums “The College Dropout” and “My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy”. And even though it received backlash at the time, “808 and Heartbreaks” pretty much influenced every rapper since, most notably Drake.
You may think he’s a douchebag, but you can’t deny his impact on rap in the 00s and 10s.
If Kanye didn’t have talent, he wouldn’t be where he is today. He produced long before Jay brought him to the forefront and is big producer in mainstream music. There are people who create and then there are the people who can sell that creation (Rihanna is a big example of this as she doesn’t have a lot of musical talent but she knows how to work with amazingly talented people). Kanye both creates and sells (thanks in part to Jay’s involvement in the beginning). And if Jay thinks there’s money to be made, you can bet Kanye is talented. Jay doesn’t work with people who aren’t talented because untalented people don’t elevate Jay’s status and album sales.
I get not liking Kanye, I’m a fan of his music and I heavily dislike his image/personality but people dismissing his talent and achievements because of it is just as petty as Kanye’s temper tantrums over nothing.
And I can’t even get into the whole ‘well rappers use and commercialize the N-word so why focus on white folk doing it?’ argument. It’s lazy.
Well, I am sorry but thats is my opinion. I do’think Kanye West has any talent ( or even any intelligence for that matter) and he along with Jay-Z, Rihanna, and many other musicians( especially the rap and hip-hop stars) have made a career out of using racism and racist terms. So when QT puts it in his script as apart of his dialogue its okay to call him racist but when Kanye, Jay-Z, Riahnna use it as a tool and sell it, then you are okay with them? They are helping to keep racism alive when they use the N-word in their songs and call each other the N-word. Sorry but you guys are wrong in terms of that part. You can think Mr West has talent but there is no deny him and the rest of his little racist musician pals have made a career out of using the N-word and then turn around and get upset when others use it. Its hypocritical.
@ Ummm
When has QT ever used the N-word in his real life? I have never heard him get angry at someone and call them that. Can you please show me proof of him using the N-word to insult someone?
No there is no difference. You can’t use it and then turn around and get mad at others for using it.
@Mia
Never said QT used the N-word. Please read more thoroughly. Saves us all some time.
I’m sorry you can’t see the subtlety, but it exists. If you can’t take my examples at face value, perhaps you might do some research on your own?
AAVE is a dialectal language. It’s nuanced. Ni***a is even spelled differently! And for a reason. :]
And again, the only one calling QT racist is you. Not sure why.
So he wants to consider himself an authority on black stories/movies/history (and he does give strong parts to both black peopleand women, moreso than many other white male directors, which is nice) and yet he refuses to accept amy criticism from the very people who’s point of view he wishes to represent on film? I like a good amountof his movies, and it can be refreshing to hear a celebrity speak so bluntly, but that is pretty indefensible to me.
I cannot stand him as a person. I like his movies but as a person he revolts me. When Django was doing its publicity run there was an interview with him and the cast and the way he was talking made me want to shoot myself. He had such a put on way of talking like JIVE TALKING it drove me out of my mind and here you have these wonderful black actors talking like normal human beings looking at him like wtf dude
**EDIT TO SAY AMY TENNANT POSTED THe VIDEO I am talking about ITS DISTURBING and everyone should watch it
I don’t get where he called black critics savages. He said their think pieces i.e. their criticisms were savage. I also agree that if he wanted to say Kathryn Bigelow won for being a woman, he would have come right out and say it.
However, he does seem overly sensitive to criticism and he needs a reality check if he thinks he’s so great as to be untouchable. I enjoy QT’s films and will continue to do so as long as they remain entertaining but my gosh, does he come off as an asshat sometimes.
I like his thoughts about other filmmakers. I do. He actually sounds coherent, and makes valid criticisms. Now, for the other portion, I will table my thoughts. It’s best some times I do that. Hahaha but he’s an odd duck. Interesting. But odd.
oooo Tarantino…… you think that you southern upbringing (Louisiana I think) with your maybe black friends all probably saying the n word to each other and riding with the confederate flag make it ok for you to as an adult push the racial envelope….. enough already.
I love his movies for the most part (Inglorious bastards, reservoir dogs BRILLIANT), because I really kinda feel like the brashness and completely inappropriateness of language is kinda how some non-persons of color can talk from time to time but….. race is not irrelevant…. no you cant pull the racism against white people card… and django was a mockery of some real devastation (look up buck-breaking/slavery) and completely unrealistic. (Bromhilda would have been a ravished house slave probably while django was forced to watch)… and I think that was the turning point for me, that movie.
lastly, I saw a early trailer of Hateful 8…. and it’s gonna be a NO for me ( in Simon Cowell scowl and voice)