The Importance of Addressing Slavery in Hollywood Cinema

TLDRTarantino discusses his motivation for making a film that brings slavery to the forefront of Hollywood cinema, stating that he wanted to tackle America's horrific past in a unique way. He emphasizes the need for stories that confront the atrocities of slavery and praises the freedom Django represents. The actors also share their thoughts on their roles and the significance of the film.

Key insights

🎥Tarantino wanted to make a film about America's past with slavery but wrapped in a genre, rather than a straight historical movie.

💔Slavery has been largely absent from Hollywood cinema, and Tarantino felt a sense of responsibility to address it head-on.

💡Many westerns that take place during slavery times have avoided addressing the subject, which is unique to America's history.

There are numerous powerful and moving stories about slavery that could be told, and Tarantino aimed to be one of the first to bring them to the forefront.

🌍Tarantino points out that many countries have been forced to confront and address their atrocities, but America has avoided doing so.

Q&A

Why did Tarantino choose to address slavery through a genre film?

Tarantino believed that wrapping the film in a genre would allow for a unique and engaging way to explore America's horrific past with slavery.

What responsibility did Tarantino feel in making a film about slavery?

Tarantino felt a strong sense of responsibility to address slavery in Hollywood cinema, as he believed it had been largely absent from the industry for the past century.

Why have many westerns avoided addressing slavery?

Tarantino suggests that westerns during slavery times often bend over backwards to avoid addressing the subject, which is unique to America's history.

What kinds of stories about slavery could be told?

Tarantino believes that there are numerous powerful and moving stories about slavery that could be told, from different perspectives and genres.

Why has America not addressed its atrocities like other countries?

Tarantino suggests that in America, both white and black communities have avoided facing and confronting the atrocities of slavery.

Timestamped Summary

00:02Tarantino wanted to make a film about America's past with slavery but wrapped in a genre, rather than a straight historical movie.

00:19Slavery has been largely absent from Hollywood cinema, and Tarantino felt a sense of responsibility to address it head-on.

00:52Many westerns that take place during slavery times have avoided addressing the subject, which is unique to America's history.

01:30There are numerous powerful and moving stories about slavery that could be told, and Tarantino aimed to be one of the first to bring them to the forefront.

01:55Tarantino points out that many countries have been forced to confront and address their atrocities, but America has avoided doing so.