Quentin Tarantino broke his silence after Rosanna Arquette criticized the filmmaker for constantly including the N-word in his movies, including the one they worked together on, Pulp Fiction.
The racial slur can be heard in several of Tarantino’s films, including two dozen times in Pulp Fiction and over 100 times in Django Unchained. Arquette recently accused the director and screenwriter of being given a hall pass to use the N-word in his projects.
Now Tarantino is speaking out on the controversy, claiming in a letter (via Deadline) that the actor has shown a “decided lack of class, no less honor” for criticizing him. Arquette’s comments have been picked up by hundreds of outlets, according to Tarantino, who hopes the “publicity…was worth disrespecting me.”
Credit: Jennifer Bloc/Future Image/Cover Images
The director went on to say that he remembers Arquette feeling “thrilled” to be a part of the cast of Pulp Fiction, which also includes John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, and Christopher Walken.
In fact, Tarantino specifically called out Arquette for accepting the job offer and the salary, despite seemingly feeling strongly about the film’s use of the N-word. While he acknowledged that it’s “very possible” her criticism might be how she really feels about the situation now, speaking publicly on the matter feels like a “cynical” decision, and the actor’s “objective was accomplished.”
Tarantino believes that there is supposed to be an “esprit de corps,” or a shared bond/spirit, among “artistic colleagues.” He ended his letter by sarcastically congratulating Arquette.
Dear Rosanna,
I hope the publicity you’re getting from 132 different media outlets writing your name and printing your picture was worth disrespecting me and a film I remember quite clearly you were thrilled to be a part of?
Do you feel this way now?
Very possibly.
But after I gave you a job, and you took the money, to trash it for what I suspect is very cynical reasons, shows a decided lack of class, no less honor.
There is supposed to be an esprit de corps between artistic colleagues.
But it would appear the objective was accomplished.
Congratulations
Q
The feud began when Arquette gave a wide-ranging interview to The Times, in which she called Pulp Fiction an “iconic” and “great” film while also admitting she’s “over the use of the N-word — I hate it.” She added that the slur is “not art“; rather, “it’s just racist and creepy.”
Arquette isn’t the only public figure to call out Tarantino for the excessive use of the N-word in his films. Spike Lee and Lee Daniels have also spoken out over the years.
Released in 1994, Pulp Fiction follows the criminal drama of Vincent Vega, Jules Winnfield, and Butch Coolidge in Los Angeles. The film grossed $213 million at the global box office and is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a critic score of 92% and an audience score of 96%.
When awards season rolled around, Pulp Fiction was honored with several nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Travolta), Best Supporting Actor (Jackson), Best Supporting Actress (Thurman), and Best Film Editing. Tarantino and Roger Avary won for Best Original Screenplay. The filmmaker won the same award at the Golden Globes.
Tarantino has also directed Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Kill Bill: Volume 2, Death Proof, Inglourious Basterds, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Aside from Pulp Fiction, Arquette has starred in such movies as The Aviator, Desperately Seeking Susan, Crash, The Whole Nine Yards, After Hours, and The Executioner’s Song. Her role in Desperately Seeking Susan earned her a BAFTA.
- Release Date
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September 10, 1994
- Runtime
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154 minutes