By this point, we are all familiar with the allegations against disgraced movie mogul, the slimeball Harvey Weinstein – but are we going to sweep Quentin Tarantino’s complicity in this situation under the rug?
On October 19, 2017, the New York Times reported on an interview Tarantino gave within which he acknowledges that he “knew enough to do more than I did” in relation to the sexual assault, rape, and sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein, the man who helped to produce most of Tarantino’s movies. In the interview, Tarantino comes clean in an honest sort of way that some have said is refreshing when compared to other statements released regarding Weinstein. Quentin accepts his complicity, tells us how he wrote it off in his mind, and says that others who have worked with Harvey and have some knowledge of these deeds should come forward.
But what has Tarantino actually done about his complicity? I’m talking about action, not words. It’s easy to apologize with your words, but it is also hollow unless you fill that apology in with action.
When Michael Vick was released from prison for his role in running a dog-fighting ring, he did more than say he was sorry. He went into the community and spoke out against dog fighting. Not content with just speaking to youth, Vick also worked with the Humane Society and helped to get a bill into Congress that makes it a crime to spectate the illegal “sport” and also makes it a crime to bring a minor to such an event. This is how you apologize. This is how you make good on doing the right thing and using your platform to affect positive change in an area where you yourself fell short once before.
So again, I ask, what has Tarantino done about his complicity in the Harvey Weinstein case? To this day, all I see being reported after his interview acknowledging his complicity are some articles talking about who he hopes to cast in his next movie and what new producers will he work with on said movie. Nothing about speaking to the community about speaking up when others are in harm’s way. Nothing that gives us tangible evidence that his apology is sincere and that he wants to atone for his lack of action that facilitated so much hardship and damage for others.
As a fan of his movies, I will be deeply disappointed if Quentin doesn’t use some of his power, his fame, his clout to let others know that speaking out against sexual predators is the right thing to do. As a writer, he shouldn’t have much of a problem penning a speech that moves others enough to know that they should speak out when they see someone being sexually harassed. You can’t take back the chance you had to prevent horrible misdeeds, but you can forge a new path forward that says, “Never again.” Until Tarantino does something to apologize, his words are just part of an obligatory interview to mitigate damage to his legacy. I hope it doesn’t end here.