In his 30-year career, Quentin Tarantino has established himself as one of the most popular directors of our time. His atypical style has caused outrage and controversy for many, but his films have long been classics of the genre. The iconic filmmaker has won numerous prestigious awards and earned the esteem of millions of fans.
Biography of Quentin Tarantino
Youth
Quentin Tarantino was born in Knoxville on March 27, 1963 in the U.S. state of Tennessee, to a young woman named Connie, who was barely sixteen years old. She had distinguished herself by her exceptional success in school, graduating at the age of 15. Connie went on to train as a nurse before becoming engaged to musician Tony Tarantino. The couple did not like each other very much and soon broke up. Soon after, Connie gave birth to a son, without her father’s knowledge.
When the boy was two years old, he and his mother moved to Los Angeles. There, she remarries a musician who adopts the boy.
Connie has to work hard, so Quentin, then an elementary school student, often stays alone and spends his time watching movies and television shows. Most of them were not intended for under-16s, but the curious Tarantino loved the violent scenes. The movies became Quentin’s favorite place to be. At the age of 15, the young man left school and found a small job, but already dreamed only of cinema. To this end, the young Tarantino began to take night classes in theater.
At the age of 22, the future director found a job in a video rental store, which allowed him to refine his knowledge of cinema.
The beginnings
Quentin Tarantino began writing screenplays, following the advice of a friend of producer Lawrence Bender. His first work, written in 1985, was entitled Captain Pitchfooz and the Anchovy Bandit, which never saw the light of day. After several years of wandering around Hollywood, Quentin made an amateur film “My Best Friend’s Birthday” with his friend Roger Avery. Half of the work was destroyed by fire, leaving the work unfinished. Subsequently, Tarantino plays in the comedy series “Golden Girls”. Quentin Tarantino appeared on television for the first time as an Elvis Presley look-alike.
The script for Tarantino’s first feature film was written in three weeks. Quentin was ready to shoot a project called “Reservoir Dogs” without having a full budget. The money came from the famous actor at the time, Harvey Keitel, who had helped create Tarantino’s first film.
Reservoir Dogs
Tarantino’s first film “Reservoir Dogs” was released in 1992. It premiered on January 18 at the Sundance Film Festival. In May, Tarantino’s work is part of the program of the Cannes Film Festival.
The plot of the film revolves around a gang of criminals who are about to commit a robbery. But things go wrong and the bandits meet at the agreed location to find out who may have framed them.
The film earned Tarantino a large number of positive reviews. Although many viewers left their seats during the screening, the tape was generally well received. Even before the official U.S. release, the director managed to make three times the money for his work.
Among the merits of “Reservoir Dogs”, critics naturally emphasized the quality of Quentin Tarantino’s direction, which contributed to the development of independent cinema.
Pulp Fiction
Two years later, Tarantino shot his second film, which brought the director a real success and worldwide fame: “Pulp Fiction“. The plot of the film has a non-linear structure, which quickly became Quentin’s trademark. The film tells several stories, at first glance unrelated: the preparation of two young people for a robbery, a rigged boxing match, the philosophical conversations of two gangsters, and the drug overdose of the boss’ wife. All of these plots eventually collide.
The film won many prestigious awards. Millions of spectators, who fell in love with Quentin’s cinema, began to speak of a “Tarantino” style. It is characterized not only by the absence of chronological narrative, but also by the presence of long dialogues characteristic of the characters.
Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” is consistently ranked among the top ten films. It received the Oscar for best screenplay and a grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival. In total, it has won over forty different film awards.
Meeting with Robert Rodriguez
Tarantino meets Robert Rodriguez at the Toronto Film Festival, during the presentation of the first film “Reservoir Dogs”. The first-time directors discovered many common passions and decided to work together.
Their first collaboration was on the 1995 film Four Rooms, which consisted of four parts that combined the scene (hotel) and the main character (doorman). Tarantino and Rodriguez filmed two parts each. A year later, Tarantino participates in the creation of the picture “Desperate” by Rodriguez.
In 1996, Quentin publishes an unrealized script whose plot revolves around two criminal brothers. They take the family hostage and cross the Mexican border. There, the party stops in a bar where the vampires are resting. Tarantino focuses on finalizing the script and the lead role, handing over the director’s chair to his friend Rodriguez. “From Dusk Till Dawn” was released in 1996.
Jackie Brown
A crime film released in 1997, Jackie Brown is an adaptation of Tarantino’s favorite work, “Rum Punch”. It stars Pam Grier and Samuel L. Jackson.
The plot revolves around a stewardess who smuggles money and is arrested by federal cops.
The film does not get rave reviews and is received very coldly.
After this failure, the disappointed director gave only one more interview and left the cinema for almost six years.
Kill Bill
Quentin Tarantino and Uma Thurman have already worked together to create Pulp Fiction. In 2003, the director returned to the cinema with the release of the first part of the film “Kill Bill”.
The bloody action film is made in the style of a spaghetti western, combined with an abundant demonstration of oriental martial arts. The film tells the story of a woman who has decided to take revenge on her ex-husband for treason and attempted murder.
The second part of “Kill Bill”, released a year later, has more dialogue and fewer fight scenes than the first.
Inglorious basterds
Another important project in the biography of the director of Quentin Tarantino is the film “Inglourious Basterds”, which premiered in 2009. The plot takes place during the Second World War. In occupied France, a group of Jewish soldiers embark on a real hunt for Nazis, killing them and scalping the German enemies.
This image is perceived as extremely ambiguous in various countries around the world. Nevertheless, film critics praise Tarantino’s work. Inglorious Basterds was nominated for eight Oscars. Christopher Waltz receives the most important award in Hollywood.
Django Unchained
In 2011, director Quentin Tarantino begins work on the spaghetti western Django Unchained. The filming ends a year later. The premiere of the film, which brings together Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio, presents audiences with the story of a slave named Django, free and seeking to find his wife, takes place in 2012. Tarantino won his second Oscar for this script.
The Hateful Eight
In 2015, another Tarantino western was released: “The Hateful Eight”. The main roles in the film are played by Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh. The action takes place after the end of the American Civil War. The heroes of the film meet at the inn to take shelter from the storm. With them, other travelers find themselves in the room. The film won Oscars and Golden Globes and received high marks from critics.
Other projects
There are many rumors and facts in the biography of Quentin Tarantino. The maestro himself likes to embellish the story or reassure the listener. This has happened with a lot of unrealized projects of the director. Of course, it is worth noting first of all the long-awaited third installment of “Kill Bill”, which Quentin has been promising fans for a long time.
There were also many rumors that Quentin would direct a film to conclude the revenge trilogy (Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained), but the work never began.
Despite all the promises, Tarantino’s ninth film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, will be released in August 2019. The lead roles in the film have been given to Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. The plot revolves around the murders committed by the gang of Charles Manson.
Private life
In the biography of Quentin Tarantino, there are many stories related to his personal life. He had a relationship with the actress Mira Sorvino, and with the director Allison Anders, and even with Sofia Coppola, although the latter calls his girlfriend everywhere. Of course, we can not ignore the rumors about his relationship with Uma Thurman, but Quentin denied them.
Filmography of Quentin Tarantino
Reservoir Dogs
Crime
1992
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring : Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn,…
Cabot is the undisputed master of organizing jewel heists. His son Eddie, the “good guy”, gathers a gang of criminals to rob an important diamond dealer. The six know nothing about each other and only know their code names: Mr. White, Mr. Blue, Mr. Pink, Mr. Orange, Mr. Brown and Mr. Blonde. Moreover, these gentlemen have all been ordered to keep their real identity secret and not to give any clue. Once the heist is over, they are offered a financial reward that assures them a peaceful old age. But during the heist, everything goes wrong.
Pulp Fiction
Crime thriller
1994
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring : John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Harvey Keitel,…
Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) work for the powerful criminal Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Vincent gets into trouble when he has to keep Wallace’s wife Mia (Uma Thurman) company for a night. Meanwhile, Wallace is involved in a deal with the boxer Butch (Bruce Willis), who cheats Wallace and runs off with his money.
Four Rooms
Comedy
1995
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Alexander Rockwell, Allison Anders.
With : Tim Roth, Sammi Davis, Valeria Golino, Madonna,…
It’s New Year’s Eve and in a hotel, the bellboy Ted is having the worst night of his life. In a room, a band of witches organizes a ritual, but alas: they have forgotten the sperm! He asks the bellboy if he can help them. In room 2, he finds a man holding his wife tied up. In room 3, Ted has to take care of a gangster’s children. These kids turn out to be the biggest assholes in the world. And in the last room, an arrogant Hollywood star throws a party. His friends make a “fun” bet that will literally cost the loser a finger. It’s a New Year’s Eve like you’ve never experienced before!
From dusk till dawn
Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Directed by : Robert Rodriguez
Starring: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel
The Gecko brothers Seth (George Clooney) and Richard (Quentin Tarantino) are on the run to Mexico after a bloody bank robbery in Texas. But along the way, they leave behind a trail of destruction and carnage; in particular, Richard can’t control his bad side. To cross the border undetected, they take widower and tormented minister Jacob Fuller (Harvey Keitel) and his children Kate (Juliette Lewis) and Scott (Ernest Liu) hostage. The plan succeeds and the five of them go to the “Titty Twister”, a raw bar open between dusk and dawn. That the latter is not without reason, will soon become clear to the company…
Jackie Brown
Thriller, Drama
1998
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring : Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro,…
Flight attendant Jackie Brown is caught smuggling money for her boss. She is offered to cooperate with the police to catch the arms dealer she works for. She meets Max Cherry, who bails her out. They decide to set up a plan to pit the parties against each other and take a large sum of money themselves.
Kill Bill: Volume 1
Action, Thriller
2003
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring : Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Sonny Chiba,…
The Bride” was once part of a group of female assassins, but her leader, Bill, has turned against her and the others. Five years later, “The Bride” awakens from the coma she fell into at the hands of her former colleagues. Now she seeks revenge…
Kill Bill: Volume 2
Action, Thriller
2004
Directed by : Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Lucy Liu,…
The Bride (Uma Thurman) continues her quest for revenge. After killing O-Ren Ishii and Vernita Green in the previous installment, she is now hunting the remaining members of the Viper assassination squad: Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) and Bud (Michael Madsen). The ultimate target is, of course, Bill (David Carradine). When the bride learns that her daughter, whom she thought was dead, is still alive, things don’t get any better.
Death Proof (Grindhouse)
Horror
2007
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring : Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito,…
For Jungle Julia, Austin’s coolest DJ, nightfall is a time to relax with her best friends, Shanna and Arlene. From Guero’s to the Texas Chili Parlor, these sexy girls are ogled. But all the attention is not innocent: without realizing it, they are followed by Stuntman Mike. This hardened rebel is watching them from his souped-up Chevy Nova, and while the girls are drinking beer, a few feet away, Mike’s secret weapon’s diet is getting dangerously high…..
Inglourious Basterds
Action, adventure
2009
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Diane Kruger,…
A group of Jewish American soldiers, known as the “Basterds”, are tasked with wreaking havoc on the Nazis in France during World War II.
Django Unchained
Action, Western
2013
Directed by : Quentin Tarrantino
Starring: Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson,…
Django Unchained is set in the American South, two years before the start of the American Civil War. Django (Oscar winner Jamie Foxx) is a slave whose brutal history brings him into contact with Dr King Schultz (Oscar winner Christoph Waltz), a German bounty hunter. Schultz has just opened the hunt for the Brittle brothers’ killers, a bounty he can only obtain with Django’s help. Schultz buys Django and promises to free him once the Brittle brothers are captured, alive or dead. Everything goes according to plan and Django is freed, but the duo decide to continue working together for a while. Schultz goes in search of the South’s most wanted criminal, while Django focuses on one goal: finding and rescuing Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), the woman he lost to slavery long ago. Their search leads them to Calvin Candie (Oscar-nominated Leonardo DiCaprio), the owner of “Candyland”, an infamous plantation where slaves are trained by Ace Woody (Kurt Russell) to fight each other. As they explore the estate under false identities, they are closely watched by Candie’s loyal slave Stephen (Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson). If Django and Schultz are to achieve their goal, they must choose between independence or solidarity, sacrifice or survival…
The Hateful Eight
Western
Directed by : Quentin Tarantino
Starring : Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell,…
The Hateful Eight tells the story of eight dangerous bounty hunters during the Civil War in wintery Wyoming. A snowstorm throws them off course and they find themselves stranded in a remote town, with all the consequences that entails… The cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Kurt Russell, Demián Bichir, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Walton Goggins and Jennifer Jason Leigh. This is the eighth film by Quentin Tarantino, whose previous box-office hits include Kill Bill, Inglourious Bastards and Django Unchained.
One upon a time in Hollywood
Crime, Thriller, Drama
2019
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt
The summer of 1969. A television actor named Rick Dalton has only appeared in one successful western series and longs for more success. However, Cliff Booth, his right-hand man and stuntman, also wants a film career. Dalton’s story intersects with the murder of his neighbour Sharon Tate and four of her friends by the Charles Manson cult.
Tarantino as a screenwriter
In addition to his own films, Tarantino has written the screenplay for several successful films:
- Natural Born Killers (1994), directed by Oliver Stone
- True Romance (1993), directed by Tony Scott