USA: Director Quentin Tarantino's two film feature, "Grindhouse" and "Death Proof"

Record ID: 228660

  • Title: USA: Director Quentin Tarantino's two film feature, "Grindhouse" and "Death Proof"
  • Date: 12th April 2007
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 26, 2007) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR ROBERT RODRIGUEZ SAYING: "I wanted to just make a movie that just reminded me of the movies I saw as a kid, that made me believe I wanted to be a filmmaker, and got me started. So I was about 12 years old and I saw George Romero's 'Dawn of the Dead' and 'Escape From New York' by John Carpenter and that made me realize, 'That's a really creative endeavor, he does the music, he does the editing, he does the directing, the writing.' And, that made me want to be a filmmaker. So now when we're looking back at what movies inspired us, those are the first ones that came to mind, so I wanted to make my version of one of those films."
  • Embargoed: 27th April 2007 13:00
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  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA1Y198M1NWHO1QFRDCM73HHEB4
  • Story Text: The new Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez film "Grindhouse" is being released on Friday (April 6). The directors collaborated to recreate a movie going experience reminiscent of the 1970s double-features that eventually became a separate genre. The back-to-back action-packed movies, "Planet Terror" and "Death Proof," also include faux trailers and ads, and feature the over-the-top violence and gore that is come to be expected from this popular Hollywood director duo.
    In a recent interview with Reuters, Tarantino discussed the genesis of the "grindhouse" concept.
    "Our idea behind it, when we came up with the idea, was to actually create what an experience of going to a grindhouse in the seventies was like," related Tarantino. "You know, so it's like the movies had to work, and they had to work so good that we could just yank them out and just release them on their own and that would be a good movie on its own and worth the price of admission. But now you're going to add them together and you're gonna create that experience with that stuff in the beginning of it, the machete trailer, the trailers in between, it's almost like creating almost a grindhouse ride, and that was the kind of experience we were trying to give an audience."
    The seed for the film was planted when Rodriguez spotted a double-bill movie poster at Tarantino's house and commented that he had the same poster at home. For this and other reasons, Rodriguez said he was enthusiastic about collaborating with his friend and fellow filmmaker.
    "I wanted to just make a movie that just reminded me of the movies I saw as a kid, that made me believe I wanted to be a filmmaker, and got me started," said Rodriguez. "So I was about 12 years old and I saw George Romero's 'Dawn of the Dead' and 'Escape From New York' by John Carpenter and that made me realize, 'That's a really creative endeavor, he does the music, he does the editing, he does the directing, the writing.' And, that made me want to be a filmmaker. So now when we're looking back at what movies inspired us, those are the first ones that came to mind, so I wanted to make my version of one of those films."
    Rodriguez, who also directed "Sin City," "Spy Kids" and "The Faculty," said that he and Tarantino were very happy with the final result.
    Actor Kurt Russell, one of the stars of the Tarantino half ("Death Proof"), said the approach to making the movie and his character were what drew him to the project.
    "It's done with such great detail and done by two guys who know this world so much," shared Russell. "It's really lovingly handled, and um, I just thought it was going to be a blast to be a part of it, to work with Quentin, and to play that guy, to play Stuntman Mike. He's pretty much off the hook and, and, uh, I've, I have had wonderful opportunities in the past to play some radical characters, and as Quentin said, 'I want you to add this to your rogues gallery' so, I was more than happy to."
    Tarantino said the extended car chase with Russell caused him the most sleepless nights during the production.
    "The big challenge for me was the chase scene," confided Tarantino. "Because there's no point in even doing a chase scene unless you're going to do one of the best ones ever done. And trying to do the best thing ever done of anything is a tall order. And quite presumptuous on your part. But that's what's going to make it good, actually stepping up to the plate and actually trying to do it."
    For actresses Rosario Dawson and Rose McGowan, landing parts in "Grindhouse" represented a leap up in their respective career ladders.
    "I've had this dream and idea of working with Quentin Tarantino for a long time," said Dawson. "But I still have this idea even after watching like 'Kill Bill' and all these great female roles and all these movies that he's done, I still always have 'Reservoir Dogs' in my head and I'd still think of him, like, ah, what movie could I do that would have a bunch of women in it that I can have a chance at. And then he writes this, and it has eight women in it. And I'm like, if I don't play one of these roles, Quentin Tarantino will not be 'Death Proof.'"
    For McGowan, being chosen to play key roles in both stories was also a dream come true.
    "Oh my goodness, what wouldn't attract me to this role?" sighed the "Charmed" star. "It's kind of every girl's dream, or at least mine, to play the guy character, not as a macho, hrrr, you know, just really obviously a girl who certainly has a lot of her own weaknesses kind of a dead-end life if you will, and, things in one crazy night go from bad to much, much worse, and then she you know, kind of has to come into her own power and use a sub-machine leg to kill people and save the world (laughs)!"
    The film relies upon riveting special effects and stunts to deliver its fast-paced succession of plot twists, turns and punches.
    The total "Grindhouse" package includes four fake "Coming Attractions" trailers for nonexistent B-movies, scratchy prints, missing scene, and an ad for a local diner. It runs more than three hours and delivers all the intense action, gore, and dialogue-rich storytelling fans have come to expect from both Tarantino and Rodriguez.
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