Tarantino Draws Line on Violence in Films: Insects Are Safe But What About Humans?

Quentin Tarantino is renowned for his boundary-pushing approach to on-screen violence, which has been a hallmark of his filmmaking since his debut feature Reservoir Dogs. Despite the intense and graphic nature of his films, Tarantino has stated that he has a limit when it comes to violence and will not cross it, as doing so would detract from the escapist nature of his work. Specifically, the director has made it clear that he would never use real violence against an animal for the sake of creating cinema, a stance he recently reiterated during a masterclass at the Cannes Film Festival.

Will Tarantino Leave Violence Behind In His Final Film?

I am strongly opposed to the depiction of animal cruelty in movies. It is a moral line that I refuse to cross. Even insects are not spared from my disapproval. Unless I am watching a documentary that sheds light on the brutal reality of the natural world, I refuse to subject myself to the sight of real death. The magic of cinema lies in its ability to create a world of make-believe, which is why I can tolerate violent scenes that are enacted by actors. However, I draw the line at the senseless killing of innocent animals such as dogs, llamas, flies, and rats, who have no connection to the movie's plot. While I might have no qualms about killing a million rats in real life, I would not want to see one die on-screen. My aversion to animal cruelty in movies is not limited to its violent nature. Often, it is the sheer incompetence of the filmmakers that adds to my frustration.

It is highly likely that Tarantino will incorporate his trademark fictional violence in his final film, The Movie Critic, although his recent statements suggest that real animal violence will not be present. After all, Tarantino has a history of depicting graphic and brutal human-on-human violence in his previous works. However, one cannot rule out the possibility that he may opt for a violence-free approach after incorporating violence in nine feature films.

The Movie Critic is shrouded in mystery, but the title suggests a departure from Tarantino's typically violent fare. Tarantino has shared that his tenth and final film is set in the 1970s and centers around a real-life movie critic who wrote for a porn magazine. This premise presents an opportunity for Tarantino to create a movie that is uncharacteristically non-violent. While it may be unfair to expect Tarantino to completely abandon his signature brutality, he may feel compelled to make a dramatic statement with his final film by crafting a movie devoid of violence. As a respected film scholar and director, Tarantino may appreciate the artistic gesture of making a non-violent film as part of his cinematic legacy.

Source: Quinzaine des Cinéastes/YouTube (via Variety)