Quentin Tarantino names the only action scene aliens would be amazed by: “That could give you an understanding of cinema”
Cinema is a language of its own, possessing a malleability that allows audiences to take whatever resonates and carry it in a little pocket of their minds, the images lingering like an unshakeable memory. Just like a tarot reading, we hold onto our own interpretations of films, relating to certain aspects or coveting a specific scene which we find intensely powerful – the celluloid searing a mark into our brains.
For most of us, there is a sequence from a film that we will never forget, whether it be a tragic death scene or a tender and emotional moment. We all have our own attachments to images that we believe epitomise the whole point of cinema – to leave a mighty impact – interpreting them in our own personal way before clinging onto them as tokens of appreciation for such incredulous filmmaking. Quentin Tarantino has his fair share of favourite movies, but they all mean something special to him, shaping his own approach to filmmaking and his ethos in life.
The director has left a significant impact on many cinema-goers with his films, which revel in both violence and humour. Beginning his career with Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino made quite the entrance into the film industry, shocking viewers with his propensity for stylised violence and twisted scenes, like Michael Madsen’s ear-slicing, Stealers Wheels dancing torture sequence.
Earning significant praise after making the crime comedy-drama Pulp Fiction, which played with unconventional form and an ensemble cast, Tarantino established himself as one of cinema’s most vital modern figures, injecting classic genres with a distinctively fresh approach and a singular vision.
When Tarantino and a group of other filmmakers were asked by The Hollywood Reporter what movie scene they would put in a time capsule to define the meaning and power of cinema, directors like Ridley Scott and Alejandro G Inarritu selected memorable movie moments. Tarantino, of course, gave the most Tarantino answer possible:
“I kind of reject the question. Because I don’t know if it would mean anything for future generations or alien creatures,” he said.
Still, he delivered an answer that speaks to his feelings about cinema – something that is so innately personal. While a specific movie scene might move someone and confuse another, there are some sequences that are just objectively great pieces of movie-making and highlight how thrilling filmmaking can be. Tarantino finally gave in, “I would probably take a really magnificent cinematic action scene. I’m not going to go through that, ’cause I’m sure I won’t like what I chose — OK, I will.”
The filmmaker selected “the climax of Jackie Chan’s Police Story 3, directed by Stanley Tong,” which was released in 1992. Better known as Supercop, the movie was received well, mainly because it features such impressive stunts, which is one of the reasons Tarantino loves it so much. Talking about the end of the movie, Tarantino explained, “That’s a sequence that aliens would watch and be amazed by. That could actually give you an understanding of cinema, in all of its bells and whistles and movement.”
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