Pulp Fiction actress calls out Quentin Tarantino for use of N-word in films

Legendary director Quentin Tarantino has been called out by a Pulp Fiction actress for his use of the N-word in films.

The American filmmaker isn't exactly known for mincing his words both in film and in real life, considering he labelled Paul Dano the worst f*****g actor in Hollywood last year.

And while the N-word has undergone a cultural reappropriation in recent years, it is of course only appropriate when used by a member of the black community in real life.

That's certainly the opinion of Rosanna Arquette, who has a minor role in Pulp Fiction, and more than 30 years on from the film being made, she's now taken issue with the regular use of the N-word in Tarantino's final cut.

In an interview with The Times, she said: "It's iconic, a great film on a lot of levels. But personally I am over the use of the N-word — I hate it."

"I cannot stand that he has been given a hall pass," she said. "It's not art, it's just racist and creepy."

Rosanna Arquette called Tarantino creepy for his use of the N-word in films (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

It isn't the first time that Tarantino has been criticised for his use of the slur however, as it also appears nearly 40 times in his 1997 thriller Jackie Brown.

Spike Lee, a filmmaker who regularly explores race relations in his work, suggested that his fellow director was 'infatuated' with the word.

"I'm not against the word," Lee told Variety that year. "And I use it, but not excessively. And some people speak that way. But Quentin is infatuated with that word. What does he want to be made — an honorary Black man?"

Lee added: "“I have a definite problem with Quentin Tarantino’s excessive use of the N-word.

"And let the record state that I never said that he cannot use that word — I’ve used that word in many of my films — but I think something is wrong with him.

"I want Quentin to know that all African Americans do not think that word is trendy or slick."

Samuel L. Jackson has defended the director (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

Samuel L. Jackson, who stars in Pulp Fiction as well as six other Tarantino projects, has already defended the director for what many have described as an 'overuse', suggesting that it is authentic when used in the right context, such as the 1850s when Django:Unchained is set, but it shouldn't be used to illicit a laugh.

He said: "You can't just tell a writer he can't talk, write the words, put the words in the mouths of the people from their ethnicities, the way that they use their words," he told Esquire in 2019. "You cannot do that, because then it becomes an untruth; it's not honest. It's just not honest."

He continued: "And I generally add like at least five 'n-----'s to what Quentin has already written."

LADbible has contacted Quentin Tarantino's representatives for comment.