Quentin Tarantino has a clear opinion when it comes to series. Unlike his beloved feature films, he is rather skeptical about them. Now he explains why.
Quentin Tarantino and cinema is a love affair that is rare. The director, who has made 9 or 10 films (depending on how you count), never tires of emphasizing how important cinema is to him and which films are among the best.
His own works are full of references and homages to older films. He is also one of the few directors in Hollywood who still shoots on analog film – just like his colleague Christopher Nolan.
However, while some other well-known directors like David Fincher (Mindhunter) or David Lynch (Twin Peaks) have also directed series for television or streaming services, Tarantino has so far steered clear of them. This could be related to his attitude towards series.
Series are good, but they are just series
What does Tarantino think? The director spoke on the Joe Rogan podcast about series. After all, they enjoy great popularity among the audience. For several years now, major productions like Game of Thrones have reached cinema level. Tarantino knows this but is a bit more critical.
He admits that series can be good, but they are and remain “just” series. Some rely on classic cinematic language and elements as known from movies. This makes them impressive and captivates their audience.
The big problem: According to Tarantino, most series are forgotten after they end. They entertain during viewing, but usually, not much sticks after the finale. In contrast, Tarantino remembers the story and its characters for a long time after watching a film.
What is the reason for this? Series have many small highlights that emotionally captivate. However, they do not come to a satisfying resolution that stays in one’s mind. This is different with films, which are shorter and where everything told leads to a final point. There are no distractions from the essentials.
Does this apply to all series? Tarantino emphasizes that there is an exception. He mentions the series Homeland and its first season. It is very well written and ends with a finale that stays in the mind for a long time. The reason: everything that happened in the previous episodes serves the emotional conflict of the finale.
Tarantino demands that series skillfully wrap up their storylines and have something to say that sticks with the viewer and makes an impression. His opinion on this topic is certainly controversial. What do you think about it? Are you fans of series or do you watch more movies? Feel free to write it in the comments. The director is also skeptical about a popular movie: “Simply stolen” – For Tarantino, a $3 billion franchise is a copy of a Japanese cult film
