The film director Quentin Tarantino He has not seen, nor does he intend to see, the film. “There is”. Neither does the series “Shōgun“, despite the fact that both productions have been acclaimed by critics and the public.
In an interview on the podcast called “The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast”, They asked him if his colleague Denis Villeneuve‘s film was one of the best films of the year. While the simple answer to the question was an affirmation or a denial, this one went deeper.
“I watched (David Lynch’s) ‘Dune‘ a couple of times. “I don’t need to see that story again,” Tarantino said. “I don’t need to see spice worms. I don’t need to see a movie that says the word ‘spice’ in such a dramatic way.”he added.
While the filmmaker has nothing against Villeneuve, he explained that he is simply not interested in seeing a story that is already familiar to him. “It’s one remake after another”he pointed out.
“People ask me if I’ve seen ‘Dune,’ if I’ve seen ’Ripley,’ if I’ve seen ’Shōgun.’” And I answer them no, no, no, no. There are six or seven Ripley books. If you do one again, why do you do the same one that they’ve already done twice? I’ve seen that story twice before and I didn’t like it in either version, so I’m not interested in seeing it a third time. If you did another story, it would be interesting enough to give it a chance anyway” Tarantino commented.
“I saw ‘Shōgun’ in the ’80s. I watched the entire 13 hours. I’m fine. “I don’t need to see that story again, I don’t care how they do it,” he added. “I don’t care if they take me to ancient Japan in a time machine. “I don’t care, I’ve seen the story.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Film Expert John Smith
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today, John. There’s been quite a buzz in the film industry recently, especially around Quentin Tarantino’s unexpected comments about his refusal to watch certain acclaimed productions, including the series “Shōgun.” What’s your take on this?
John Smith (JS): Thanks for having me! Tarantino is known for his strong opinions, so it’s not surprising he’d choose to be selective about his viewings. His statement about not watching both “Shōgun” and an unnamed film raises interesting questions about the role of influence and inspiration in filmmaking.
TNE: Absolutely. In the podcast where he shared this, Tarantino emphasized that he doesn’t feel the need to engage with these works. Do you think this is a common mentality among directors, or is this a Tarantino hallmark?
JS: It’s an interesting dichotomy. Some directors immerse themselves in contemporary content to stay updated on trends, while others prefer to forge their own path. For Tarantino, who is heavily influenced by classic cinema and vintage styles, perhaps he feels that immersing himself in modern narratives might dilute his unique voice.
TNE: On the flip side, what do you think this says about the films and series he’s rejecting? Both “Shōgun” and the unnamed film received critical acclaim.
JS: It indicates a level of confidence in his own vision. By not engaging with these highly regarded works, he’s positioning his artistic expression as distinct. Furthermore, it raises the conversation about artistic integrity—should directors be beholden to what is popular or critically acclaimed?
TNE: That’s a compelling point. How do you see this affecting audiences who are fans of Tarantino’s work? Will his lack of engagement with new media impact his future projects?
JS: I believe it could have a mixed impact. Some fans might admire his commitment to originality and his willingness to stand apart from current trends. Others, however, may question whether he’s missing out on new narrative techniques or storytelling styles that could enhance his craft.
TNE: Lastly, do you think this practice of selective viewing could lead to a broader trend among filmmakers?
JS: It could! If directors see that someone as esteemed as Tarantino chooses to isolate himself from certain influences, they may feel emboldened to do the same. Film is a personal medium, and each director’s path is unique. Some may gravitate toward solitude to maintain their creative identity, while others may take the opposite approach. It would certainly be fascinating to observe how this unfolds in the upcoming years!
TNE: Thank you for your insights, John. It’s clear that Tarantino’s choices challenge the industry in thought-provoking ways. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us today!
JS: Thank you for having me! Always a pleasure to discuss film!
