Quentin Tarantino N-Word Use at Golden Globes Furthers Controversy
Quentin Tarantino, who was criticized for the use of the n-word in his latest film "Django Unchained," has come under fire for saying the sensitive term during Sunday's Golden Globe Awards.
While some took aim at the writer-director and even boycotted the award-winning film, Tarantino defended his work in spite of the controversial word.
Backstage at the Golden Globes, the director addressed the issue while speaking to both The Hollywood Reporter and E! News.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"If somebody is out there actually saying when it comes to the word n-----, the fact that I was using it in the movie more than it was being used in the antebellum South in Mississippi, then feel free to make that case," Tarantino reportedly told the press.
"But no one's actually making that case," the director continued. "They are saying I should lie, that I should whitewash, that I should massage, and I never do that when it comes to my characters."
This is not the first time the 49-year-old award-winning filmmaker has found himself in hot water- especially when it comes to the sensitive term in question.
Tarantino went up to bat against criticism about the use of the n-word- which is used over 100 times in "Django Unchained"- before the film's release. The director first told MTV that the hype over the word was "ridiculous."
"No one can actually say with a straight face that we use the word more than it was used in 1858 in Mississippi," continued the director. "So since they can't say that, what they're basically saying is I should lie. I should pretty it up. I should lie, and I don't lie when it comes to my characters and the stories I tell."
Furthermore, Tarantino maintained that his work comes before any amount of social criticism.
"Not one word of social criticism that's been leveled my way has ever changed one word of any script of any story I tell," the director told THR. "I believe in what I'm doing wholeheartedly and passionately. It's my job to ignore that."
Alternately, Kerry Washington, who portrayed Jamie Foxx's onscreen wife in "Django Unchained," referred to her role as the opportunity of a lifetime.
"I have to honor the truth of what happened here to the best of my ability," the actress told The Los Angeles Times. "One of our background actors was a pastor, and he was saying on set that we are the answer to their prayers- to the very people who walked on this land … and that's why we are here to tell their story."
"Django Unchained" also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and is currently playing in theaters nationwide.
Although Tarantino won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay, he failed to pick up a nomination in the Best Director category on Sunday.
Regardless of the criticism and award nominations, "Django Unchained" star Kerry Washington defended the "fearless leader" and director.
"When a film gets nominated for Best Picture- film is such a collaborative experience, and that nomination really is for everybody, especially our fearless leader, Quentin," explained the actress, according to MTV News. "He can own all of those nominations as his."
Sunday also saw Christoph Waltz pick up the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor through his role in "Django."
