Director Quentin Tarantino is hitting back after Rosanna Arquette criticized the use of the N-word in his film in a recent interview.
In a career-spanning conversation with The Sunday Times, Arquette discussed her bit role in Tarantino’s 1994 black comedy Pulp Fiction, saying that it was a “great movie on many levels” but that she generally objected to the director’s repeated use of racial slurs in his films.
“Personally, I’ve stopped using the N-word. I hate it,” Arquette said in an interview published Saturday. “I can’t forgive him (Tarantino) for giving him a hall pass. That’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.”
On Monday, Tarantino responded to Arquette’s criticisms in a letter, accusing her of showing a “definitive lack of integrity, not to mention honor,” by trashing the film.
“I hope the publicity you’re getting from 132 different media outlets with your name written and your picture posted is worth disrespecting a movie that I and you clearly remember being excited to be a part of?” the writer and director wrote in a statement directly addressed to Arquette. (In the film, Arquette plays Jody, the wife of drug dealer Lance, played by Eric Stoltz, and also appears in a scene with Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta.)
“Do you feel that way right now? It’s very possible,” Tarantino continued. “But for me to give you a job, for you to take the money, and then throw it in the trash for what I suspect to be very cynical reasons, clearly shows a lack of integrity, and by extension, a lack of honor.”
Arquette’s criticism of Tara Tinto’s use of the N-word is not the first voiced by other industry veterans or viewers. Tarantino’s critics often cite racial slurs as problematic because they appear nearly 110 times in Django Unchained, compared to about 20 times in Pulp Fiction. However, Tarantino’s use of the N-word in his screenplay has long been defended by the film’s star Jamie Foxx and frequent collaborator Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson has appeared in nearly every Tarantino feature film to date, including Pulp Fiction.
Tarantino’s full response is below.
Dear Rosanna
I hope that having 132 different media outlets write your name and post your photo and promote it is worth discounting a movie that I and you clearly remember being excited to be a part of?
Are you feeling this way right now?
Very likely.
But for me to give you a job, for you to take the money, and then throw it in the trash for what I suspect are very cynical reasons, clearly shows a lack of decency, and an equally lack of honor.
There must be a spiritual spirit between artists.
However, it appears that the objective has been achieved.
Congratulations
Q
