Quentin Tarantino Attacks Paparazzi at Sundance

Posted on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

At /Film we try not to post anything that would be considered celebrity gossip. Last week in one of my Sundance blogs I wrote about my unfortunate experience meeting Quentin Tarantino after a screening of Hell Ride. A reader who had read my posting just sent me this video showing Quentin Tarantino attacking a paparazzi with a video camera while in Park City.

I’m not a supporter of the paparazzi, but at the same time, I think Tarantino’s reaction was totally unnecessary. My mom always told me that two wrongs don’t make a right. He could have easily just walked away. And even sadder, Tarantino’s comment leads me to believe that he actually believed the guy was a Park City local with a video camera and not a paparazzi, yet still acted the way he did.

What a badass… /sarcasm

source: ekstrabladet

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Film Festivals, Gossip/Controversy, Sundance, 

  • Jerry Butler
    Never mess with a caffiene addict before they've had their first cup in the morning.
  • Aleks
    I love his films but his behavior is inexcusable... what a total dick...
  • Jerry Butler
    That was a joke, btw. Seriously though, Tarantino is a bit loony and unpredictable.
  • I'm with Tarantino on this one... Someone should smack that camera dude.
  • Lewis
    Yeah. It might have been a local, but he, the camera operator, was being a total dick. He couldn't talk to QT? He couldn't explain himself? Please. It was filth. And then he chases QT down the road going, "Come on. Hit me..." You could just hear the cash registers rattling in his head.

    I know you had a spat with QT and QT, honestly, seems like a drunk cocksucker, but it's leeches like this camera dude who feed, literally, off the misery of mankind.

    I respect your policy of not promoting this filth, but I think you should step back from your personal encounter with QT and call this what it is -- a symptom of a terminal disease.

    Big the bigger man and remove this smudge from your pristine site.

  • To be completely honest, I would have run this video even if it weren't for my recent encounter...


    I can't stand up for the camera operator as I think he was clearly in the wrong. But as I said, my mother always told me, two wrongs don't make a right.


    Besides, I am under the firm belief that it should never come to violence, especially if you aren't defending yourself from a physical attack.


    It should also be noted that the camera guy started to respond to Tarantino within five seconds (I counted) of Tarantino's request to know "What's going on here?" Notice that Tarantino slaps the camera man while he tries to explain to Tarantino what the video is for. He didn't even let the guy answer.

  • Trebek
    I like his films...But that was a dick move.
  • Jerry Butler
    They should have settled it with a snowball fight.
  • Jerry Butler
    New catch phrase for 08: "Wha, what's goin on HERE!"
  • I don't think Tarantino's actions are all that out of line here. He shoved the guy's camera a bit after being ambushed. He calmed down after faking a lunge at the cameraman. My thought is that the guy had it coming and worse. If anyone has a problem with Tarantino for other reasons, that's fine, but I don't see anything wrong with this. Seriously, the guy just had to answer him instead of continuing to film, and there would have been no altercation.
  • Zach
    that's great
  • Anonymous
    But why would you have run this anyway? I mean. This sort of crap is everywhere. And all it is is gossip crap made out of nothing.

    Five seconds is a pretty long time to not respond when you're asked a question. And the other guy (as there were two) just starts giving a non-answer. And it didn't really come to violence, QT didn't attack him. Tarantino just sort of shoved the camera and walked away. He didn't even start screaming or saying nasty things to the guy. I'd say he was pretty civil.

    Of course I'm not saying that you're doing this, but I'm reminded of Rainn Wilson's guest appearance on Entourage as the blogger detmined to sink Aquaman because feels slighted.
  • Concerned Citizen
    Yeah you try waking up each morning for more than 15 years, decide to go out to work or for a cup of coffee only to be greeted by flashing cameras of humanity's filth, then come around here talkin' how much of a d!ck he is.
  • Richard
    Hey Peter, if you watch it again I think it's clear Tarantino knows who these guys are - he's being sarcastic when he mentions about them being local. He should have hit him - the cameraman invited him to do it and was clearly inciting him, he wouldn't have had a leg to stand on in court....

  • While we don't usually go into the gossip territory, you'll notice that I usually post stuff that falls out of the "movie news" category when it comes to film geek icons like Tarantino. For example, we've posted Edgar Wright's radio show which featured almost no film related content, and other somewhat gossipy content like Katherine Heigl’s recent comments, Which Hollywood Director Just Bought Hulk Hogan’s House? Bret Ratner defending Rush Hour 3 with the story of his first gay blow job, Michael Moore Ripping Wolf Blitzer on CNN, Danny Boyle Trash Talking Eli Roth, The director who was seeking a date for his movie premiere on craigslist, Lily Tomlin’s I Heart Huckabees Outburst. Trust me when I say, I would have posted this regardless of what happened this week - it is too interesting not to.


    Anonymous: Watch the video again and notice the camera man starts to explain what the video is for and Tarantino slaps the camera within a second of his explanation, not giving him a chance to explain himself. I use to be a videographer, and own lots of expensive video camera equipment. Tarantino's shove/slap could have caused thousands of dollars worth of damage (it didn't, but could have). I understand that it is disrespectful to invade the private space of celebrities in public. At Sundance, and in my everyday dealings with industry folk, I make a huge effort not to be obtrusive. But that is no excuse for #1 trying to physically hurt someone for doing so (at least for 10 seconds, if he had been following him around all day, that changes the story slightly... but this was clearly their first encounter) and #2 trying to destroy expensive personal property. As awful as paparazzi are, there is no excuse for that kind of behavior.

  • frankie says relax
    I think QT is hilarious, nobody got hurt and tbh i think you're making a bigger deal out of this than necessary.
  • James
    What an asshole. Who does he think he is? He movies aren't even that good.
  • James
    *His
  • Concerned: If I’m correct, Tarantino lives outside of the Hollywood system in Texas, and is not subject to paparazzi on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis.

    Richard: good catch, you might be right. It does appear to be their first encounter though... As for the camera man asking him to hit him (a douche bag move if I don't say so myself...), I believe many court trials have sided in the photographers in these type of cases (sad but true)
  • Trebek
    I'm not saying that the photographer was in the right. He wasn't at all. But that doesn't give Tarantino the right to act like a total dick. They were both wrong in this case.
  • Hunter Stephenson
    I can see both sides, but I'm leaning towards QT on this. I mean, it's Sundance, he's been up all night just like everyone else, it's cold, you look like crap, and you walk outside with a coffee and some stranger is filming you. If it was a fan with a reg point-and-shoot, that's different (like what happened to Peter, QT was a /ass for sure) but video is usually sold. Either way, always ask permission unless it's a press-centric event. A person deserves that much, celeb or otherwise.

    My big prob with the camera man here is that he sees that QT is obvi disgruntled, but he goes back up to him, while filming, and dares him to hit him. That's not cool, ever. And then the cam guy proceeds to film him walking away down the street, to further vilify him on video. They didn't seem like fans to me, just generators of celeb footage, maybe hoping a conflict like this might happen.

    Also, we now know that QT is not scared to throw down. Geek power.
  • sean coates
    what ever leave the guy alone ..why not walk up to him first and ask him if he can be on film
  • I'm still trying to figure out what QT did wrong here...
  • Bob
    Russ: physically attacking someone who was just video taping him...
  • Lewis
    Bob: It may seem innocent, but it's a violation. It's an assault. QT is within legal rights to protect his person. He has the right to say no to others violating his person. And he should. He doesn't owe the world anything, but his art.
  • Liz
    Celebrities are under no obligation to be gracious. Nobody is. But it's a nice gesture anyway. Paparazzi is a reality of the celebrity lifestyle, mostly because we as consumers are fascinated with the private lives of celebrities. Tarantino doesn't have the temperament to deal with it, unfortunately, so maybe people will learn to leave him alone. That doesn't mean he's in the right.
  • Captain Awesome
    haha that was great. I'm with Tarantino on this one.
  • matthew
    this video makes me like tarrantino even more. it proves he's not some bulls*** celebrity that will put on a happy face just because the cameras are rolling. he's a human being just like anyone of us and he's not afraid to call someone out if theyre trying to f*** with him. he tried to ask the cameraman what he was filming for and instead of trying to explain himself, or even say he was just a fan, he pulled the typical paparazzi "silent" treatment in an attempt to get some good footage. regardless if it was "right" or not, QT isnt afraid to stick up for himself....and that dbag cameraman deserved worse.
  • Captain Awesome
    After watching the video again. That douchebag cameraman really did deserve what he got. Especially when he approached him a second time, knowing full-well how Quentin felt at the moment.

    Tarantino should have punched that litte shit for trying to antagonize him to begin with. Quentin kept it real and that dude only provoked him furthur. Just as some here said Tarantino should have walked away or left the guy alone. The cameraman should have behaved the same way.
  • McLovin
    douche...
  • Ary
    Weird that I always hear about what a dick he is, but the one time I met him, he was nice.

    It was at Comic Con and you had to win tickets to be able to get his autograph. My girlfriend won one, and my friend and I stood in line with her. He signed for all of us even though we said we didn't have tix. A guy in front of us also didn't have a ticket and asked if he would sign his guitar. Tarantino tried to, but security wouldn't let him.

    I think he's fine interacting and making nice with fans, but only when he's ready to. I wouldn't want to make myself available 24/7 either. Especially to douchebags like this camera guy.
  • Tsiu
    why so violent? the bird would of been healthier and classier.
  • me im not
    when the camera guy taunted him. he should have jerked the camera from his hands and beat him with it. you gotta make an assault charge worth it. mess with the bull you get the horn. Tarantino is nuts why get in his space? its like poking a bear with a stick.
  • Trevor
    TMZ and the celeb chasers of all kinds aren't really people anymore with the way they act. Run over them with your call for all I care.
  • shawn
    might I ask what happened between Peter and QT? Ive been trying to find it but i guess i just missed that one...
  • The paparazzi are out of control. That cameraman had no business just randomly filming a man... cause that's all QT is... a man, walking and sipping his joe.

    Fuck the paparazzi. They deserve to have their asses kicked. It's invasion of privacy and stalking.
  • Evan
    Peter,

    Why do you feel the constant need to defend your posting? If you aren't confident enough to post it and let it stand on your own, you probably shouldn't have posted it at all.
  • Maybe he was in bad mood that time.Everyone hates paparazzi

  • Evan, if I wasn’t confident enough, I wouldn’t have posted it for six million people to see. I don't understand. If I don't respond to comments people say I'm hiding, but if I do defend myself, you say I'm not confident in my original posting. I think the best thing I could do is to remain an active participant in the comment discussions...

  • Dani
    My guess, concerning the comment, is that it was the camera in his face that set him off, not the fact that someone was talking to him. Theres an extreme difference between someone modestly coming up to say Hi and turning around to find a man with a huge camera in your face when you are just trying to get a coffee.

    Also, when your at sundance, or any other festival where all you do is work, talk to people, do interviews, meet fans, your totally putting yourself out there for photos and all that, because all of the celebs know thats part of their job and so I can understand after days of letting the public have a go at you with all the time they should need, it must feel awful being bombarded with a camera in your face the second you have a free moment and all you want is to enjoy a nice coffee alone!!


    I say go quentin! I loved the trip move.
  • Kode
    I think Tarantino is the dick here.. and I think the cameraman is actually just a local, I mean an actual paparazzi would follow him another 5 miles..

    First the cameraman is JUST taping him. Ok, maybe could be anoying. But it's Quentin Tarantino! damn he should be if not used to it at least understand what he is and why some guy could want to tape him.

    There's no excuse for his violent and physical reaction against the cameraman.

    After the "attack" of course that the cameraman (now been also an ass) sees an oportunity there and goes for it -"c'mon hit me, hit me"
  • Dishevel
    Fucking paparazzi, that shit head deserved a punch in the face by Quentin.
  • kiko
    I hope he just started a new trend!
  • Jeff Nyman
    Anyone who actually thinks Tarantino is in the right here (and a couple of people above apparently did) really need to adjust their civilization filters.

    Yes, it might be annoying to be filmed when walking out of a place. I can understand that. So should you hit someone for that? Would anyone truly excuse that kind of behavior? It's ridiculous.

    Certainly you can make an argument that a person with a camera should not just come up and start filming you. That's fine and is certainly a valid argument. However, hitting someone like this when it is not in self defense and it clearly is not is called assault and battery. It really is that simple. So if you're saying Tarantino was in the right here, keep in mind that little fact.

    Should the cameraman have followed him saying "hit me"? No, probably not. But, on the other hand, he was reacting as many of us probably would if in that situation.

    Notice at the end that Tarantino just walked away? He could have just done that at the start. But, then again, as we see from some responses here, I guess that kind of behavior will always cater to some of the crowd.
  • Anonymous
    Peter, I think we've got a different perception of the video. First off, I hear two guys talking to Tarantino, with the cameraman's voice being the one who challenges QT to hit him near the end of the clip. And that's not the voice that, eventually, begins to answer QT after about 5 seconds and 6 or 7 questions from an obviously concerned Tarantino. QT's urgency necessitated a faster response and even then, he wasn't getting a response from the camera man, he was getting it from the second guy. And I don't see Tarantino attacking the cameraman, I see him shoving the camera. If he had hit the cameraman, I also would not think the cameraman would chase after him and challenge QT to hit first, because Tarantino would have already done that a few moments ago. That said, I very much understand your point about expensive camera equipment. I know what that's like and am sure many student filmmakers would greatly prefer to be hit in the face than have my camera smashed. That said, I think there should be a distinction between fans who randomly see a celeb somewhere and ask for a picture or an autograph and people who choose to be members of the paparazzi and chose to make their job be hounding and badgering people 24-7. You don't have to choose to do that job. There are other options. But by choosing it, you essentially commit yourself to hounding people everyday. Who would want to do that? I had friends in college who were very involved with environmental policy but refused to go around knocking on people's doors with a clip board at dinner time, invading their space because they didn't feel like it was their right to encroach like that. And at least then, it was for a good cause, trying to spread awareness about pollution, etc. This isn't for a good or selfless cause. It's to earn a paycheck.
  • Honestly though, fuck off. Even if he is the writer/director of fuckin' Pulp Fiction, leave the dude alone. He's getting coffee just like that dude would have, just like you do, and just like all the people you know who AREN'T Quentin Tarantino do. leave the poor fucker alone...he just wants to do his everyday thing and do it normally...and there are certain douche bags that can't let that happen.
  • unknown
    total dick. paparazzi will be paparazzi, but in this case the camera man just asked him how he's dooing and earlier if he can take a picture of him. tarantino probablly misssed he's morning wank and had some extra testosterone, combined with that cofee ....lethal combination =))). hes a pussy, if tarantino thinks he's a tough guy he would have beaten the shit out of that guy, with the camera or without. i mean how much could he loose in a trial. he wouldn't give shit for the money if he was a real man. but pussy is pussy, and tarantino is the biggest one ever =)))
  • It's a pretty well-worn debate in our modern celebrity culture: how much right do paparazzi have to hound the stars, and what sort of reaction is acceptable from the stars in response. I can only imagine how annoying it would be to be hounded by photogrpahers. And I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to have millions of dollars and hang out with movie stars and get major distribution for my movies because I'm a household name. Fact is, no matter how bad papparazi might be, it is a fact of life of celebrity culture. It goes with the territory. That's not going to change. Tarantino has everything to gain from exposure and being recognizable. The fact we want to know more about him and to see him on camera is part and parcel of the reason why he is a star director. Tarantino has cultivated his own star status. He's exploited it and there is a flip-side to the power of star-status. He should learn to be more gracious and accept that being a famous icon means people will take his picture and film him and move on. He didn't have to talk to them at all. Seemed to me he just wanted to pick a fight.
  • Anonymous
    "The fact we want to know more about him and to see him on camera is part and parcel of the reason why he is a star director."

    See.... I think that is total bullshit.

    I'd love to watch an hour long interview with him on Charlie Rose or something like that where he is prepared and sitting down to have a serious and in-depth conversation about his work and about movies, but it's ridiculous to employ vampire whores to stalk him and produce video and pictures of him waking up and getting a cup of coffee.
  • Chris
    If you watch him leave Starbucks, it looks like QT has seen the cameraman before. So it could be that he thought these were some annoying locals (The video does not show him go into the Starbucks). That said, this video seems to be an incomplete telling of the events.
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