5 reasons to stand with Quentin Tarantino on violence in media

‘Death Proof’ — Courtesy of Miramax

5.  Cool People Are Against Censorship

Back when Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill was fresh, Mr. Tarantino had an interesting exchange with film critic Jan Wahl. Wahl accused him of being “all about style over substance” and glamorizing violence, while Tarantino said the film empowers women.

As you probably know, Kill Bill features Uma Thurman as a female warrior, hellbent on revenge. Not everyone liked that.  When Wahl objected to the violent revenge motif, Tarantino noted simply how “revenge is one of the classic staples in drama.” One thing is clear: Kill was not made for the critics, but for fans of Tarantino-esque movies.  While Wahl did not advocate censorship in her interview, plenty of her arguments have been utilized in efforts toward censorship in the past.

In addressing the film’s violence, Tarantino wisely noted that “revenge is messy,” and that “it never works out the way you want.” He also noted the difference between fictional and real violence, whereas Wahl argued that (at least some) kids couldn’t recognize the difference.  Again, it’s not overtly arguing for censorship, but some underpinnings seem to be there.

Just like the 1980s PMRC hearings regarding music, it’s always claimed that kids just don’t grasp the difference, and everything must be made safer to protect them. However, if kids don’t understand the difference between movies and reality, I would say that parents are failing to teach them common sense.