Summary
- Quentin Tarantino's confrontational nature was on full display at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994 when he laughed off and flipped off an audience member who booed his film Pulp Fiction.
- Despite the tension and shock surrounding Pulp Fiction's victory at Cannes, Tarantino wasn't surprised and admitted that his movies often divide audiences rather than bring them together.
- Tarantino revealed that the idea for Pulp Fiction originated from his desire to create a series of short crime stories that could eventually be combined into one film. This concept became the basis for his iconic movie.
In 1994, Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film Pulp Fiction triumphed at the Cannes Film Festival, earning the prestigious Palme d’Or Award. However, the director also got into it with the audience, who had also happened to boo the movie as it was screening.
His bold and confrontational nature is well-documented: Once during an interview, a furious Tarantino almost walked out when faced with a challenging question about the violence depicted in his films. On Howard Stern’s show in 2015, he made allegations of extortion against Disney, after the company declined to promote his movie, The Hateful Eight. He also ignited a fiery feud with fellow filmmaker Wes Craven, sparking a heated rivalry between the two.
Tarantino has himself admitted to having a very low tolerance level for incompetence, saying, “If I got a problem with you, you’re fired. I don’t have time to f*** around.” Given this record of being blunt and confrontational, his behavior at Cannes in 1994 would appear to have been pretty much par for the course.
Quentin Tarantino Laughed Off And Pulled The Finger At An Audience Member Booing Pulp Fiction
The Cannes Film Festival in 1994 was poised for a showdown of cinematic titans as Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction vied for the coveted Palme d'Or Award. Among the formidable contenders were celebrated films such as Three Colours: Red by Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieślowski, with others in the running including The Hudsucker Proxy by Joel Coen and To Live by Yimou Zhang.
The Hollywood Reporter recounted the tension that gripped the filmmakers, and the subsequent shock when Pulp Fiction actually won. Producer Lawrence Bender reminisced, “We thought maybe we’d get some kind of special award, like for Best Ensemble Acting.” However, as the awards were unveiled, it became increasingly evident that neither Pulp Fiction nor Three Colours: Red had clinched any of those special accolades.
In that pivotal moment, Tarantino and Bender exchanged knowing glances, sensing a potential upset in the making. But when Pulp Fiction was eventually announced as the recipient of the Palme d'Or, a woman seated in the balcony vociferously protested, shouting, “Kieślowski! Kieślowski! Pulp Fiction is s---.” Tarantino laughed off the dissenter, reportedly showing her the finger as he accepted the prize from Kathleen Turner.
Speaking about his own surprise at the victory, Tarantino said, “I never expect to win anything when a jury has to decide, because I don’t make the kinds of movies that bring people together. I make the kinds of movies that split people apart.”
How Quentin Tarantino Came Up With The Idea For Pulp Fiction
Still at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994, Quentin Tarantino sat down for an interview with Positif Magazine, contents of which were published on Scraps from the loft in 2016. It was in this conversation that he revealed the intriguing genesis of Pulp Fiction.
According to Tarantino, his creative process began even long before he embarked on the journey of making his first ever film Reservoir Dogs (1992). The director’s initial inspiration was rooted in the practical need to create a short film that could serve as a calling card to showcase his talent to potential investors and collaborators.
To start with, he envisioned a narrative involving Vincent Vega, (eventually portrayed by John Travolta), and Marsellus Wallace’s wife, Mia, played by Uma Thurman. “Then I realized, why not write a second short crime story, and then a third, and then shoot them one after another when I got enough money together, and then put them together,” continued Tarantino. This concept evolved into a multi-story structure that eventually formed the basis for Pulp Fiction.
Quentin Tarantino’s Mark On The Cannes Festival Since Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino had an eventful time at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival, in what was his first official appearance. Since then, he has returned to Cannes with three distinct projects, each contributing to his enduring legacy, though none matched the triumph of Pulp Fiction.
Every Quentin Tarantino Film Nominated For The Palme d’Or Award
| Film | Release Date | Result |
| Pulp Fiction | October 14, 1994 | Won |
| Death Proof | April 6, 2007 | Nominated, lost |
| Inglourious Basterds | August 21, 2009 | Nominated, lost |
| Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | July 26, 2019 | Nominated, lost |
In 2007, Tarantino presented Death Proof, a high-octane thriller that formed part of the Grindhouse double feature with Robert Rodriguez. The film, a homage to ‘70s exploitation cinema, followed Stuntman Mike (played by Kurt Russell) as he hunted down young women with his death-proof car. Despite its visceral thrills, Death Proof didn’t secure the coveted Palme d'Or, with Christian Mungiu’s 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days emerging as the winner.
Two years later, in 2009, Tarantino returned to Cannes with Inglourious Basterds, a daring alternative history war film set in Nazi-occupied France. The movie, featuring an ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt, received critical acclaim but was bested by Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon.
Tarantino’s fourth Cannes appearance occurred in 2019, with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. This film, set against the backdrop of late ‘60s Hollywood, featured Leonardo DiCaprio and Pitt in leading roles. It garnered widespread attention and acclaim, yet it was the year when Bong Joon-ho's Parasite made history by winning the Palme d'Or, and later achieving international acclaim.
