Inspirational Film Director – Quentin Tarantino

cover image from: Westbrook, Caroline. “Quentin Tarantino Has Been Massively Snubbed at the Oscars.” Metro, 14 Jan. 2016, metro.co.uk/2016/01/14/quentin-tarantino-massively-snubbed-at-the-oscars-as-the-hateful-eight-misses-out-on-major-categories-5623166/.

As the world continues to become more and more digital, the number of media content our societies intake of media becomes more and more electronic than print. In a 2023 article from statista.com titled “Media usage in the United States – Statistics and Facts,” it is made clear that TV is one of the most powerful and influential media platforms as “over 120 million households have TVs.”

Due to all the households in America partaking in films and cable, there is a lot of money to be made through film, such as movies and television shows. Films who I have always preferred are directed by Quentin Tarantino. His name seems to be among the most popular directors but for good reason, his unique filmmaking and directing style. Tarantino typically has long films, typically into the high two-hour or into the three-hour frame, that usually follows a non-linear storyline mixed with carefully chosen music, imagery, and dark comedy.

Tarantino can be classified as a neo-noir director. A Brittanaca.com article last updated in February of 2023 describes a neo-noir film as “a genre of films that use the visual style and themes of classic film noir (French: “dark film”) but add a modern sensibility. They also usually contain more graphic depictions of violence and sexuality.”

Some popular films of Tarantino include Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Django Unchained, and Pulp Fiction. While some may call his dark comedy, neo-noir style controversial or not fit for modern society, these films have generated millions of dollars and have been extremely popular since they hit theaters and streaming services. He has even addressed the allegations of ‘cancel culture,’ through an episode with the Joe Rogan Podcast and an article with The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. However, many do enjoy his unique style, apart from receiving five grammy awards, he has also received multiple Academy Awards, BAFTA awards, Golden Globe awards, with a total count of 284 nominations and 171 awards throughout his career. He has cemented himself as one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation.

While directing movies is not my dream career, my interest in films has led me to a respect for Quentin Tarantino, as he shows directing, or producing, something in your own unique way can develop as well or better than a traditional route.