SPAIN: DIRECTOR QUENTIN TARANTINO SPEAKS ABOUT HIS LATEST FILM 'CURDLED' AT THE SITGES FILM FESTIVAL

Record ID: 386605

  • Title: SPAIN: DIRECTOR QUENTIN TARANTINO SPEAKS ABOUT HIS LATEST FILM 'CURDLED' AT THE SITGES FILM FESTIVAL
  • Date: 4th October 1996
  • Summary: SITGES, SPAIN (OCTOBER 4-12, 1996) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) VIEW OF HARBOUR FILM POSTERS EXTERIORS OF "SITGES 96" VENUE U.S. MOVIE DIRECTOR AND ACTOR QUENTIN TARANTINO AND ACTRESS ANGELA JONES ("CURDLED") AT PHOTO CALL TARANTINO AND JONES LAUGHING
  • Embargoed: 19th October 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SITGES, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Reuters ID: LVAA9PMAQBXMLWFJRJY4K7C70JXC
  • Story Text: U.S. director Quentin Tarantino has drawn crowds at Spain's Sitges Fantastic Film Festival, where he was presented with a special honorary award.

    The festival's prize for best picture was won by Peter Greenaway's quirky erotic drama "The Pillow Book." The film, about a Japanese woman and the art of skin calligraphy, also took the award for best photography at the festival.

    The best director plaudit was won by Iran's Mohsen Makhmalbaf for his film "Gabbeh," which is about the tapestry making tradition of a nomadic tribe in Iran.

    The award adds to the growing trend of international recognition for Iranian film.

    The Spanish film, "You Only Die Twice," was awarded the Silver Melies, placing it in competition for the Melies Prize awarded in December for the best European fantasy film.

    James Woods was voted best actor for his performance in Tim Metcalfe's hard-hitting prison drama, "Killer: A Journal of Murder." Alberto Schiammi's wacky sci-fi comedy "The Killer Tongue" drew a more lukewarm reaction from the Spanish press, but still netted star Melinda Clarke the actress prize.

    Tarantino was the toast of the town, receiving an honorary "Time Machine Award" in recognition of his friendship and fidelity to the festival.

    He presented his latest film, "Curdled", at the festival. The movie, which Tarantino produced, follows awoman obsessed with a serial killer.

    Tarantino said his increased celebrity status had made the trip very different from his first visit to Sitges in 1992 to present his film Reservoir Dogs.

    Despite constant attention from his fans, Tarantino spent the week viewing films and enjoying the festival.

    "If it had an on and off switch, fame would be the greatest thing," Tarantino said at his news conference for "Curdled".

    Tarantino said he had been flattered by a string of movies made in "Tarantino style" and by the effect his interpretation of film making may have on the industry.

    "Your only limit is your imagination. Just like novels have always been able to tell the story in any way the author wishes and movies have always been "No it's got to be done this way"...sometimes it's better to be told the normal way but you should have an option," Tarantino said.

    "Maybe if I've done anything it's given people the guts to go for that and that's a good thing," he added.

    No Spanish film festival would be complete without controversy.

    This was served by the jury's adjudication of both the best screenplay award and a Special Jury Mention to a low-budget debut by young Spaniard Elio Quiroga, "Fotos(Photos)," a delirious mixture of telenovela melodrama, religious fantasies and castration.

    In its 29 year history, the festival has evolved from a celebration of horror films to the broader genre of fantastic film.

    Each year it attracts thousands of science fiction and fantasy film fans to the Mediterranean beach town.
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