Director Quentin Tarantino discusses The Hateful Eight

December 6, 2015

A DGA Q&A in Los Angeles

Eight strangers find intrigue, betrayal and deception in Director Quentin Tarantino’s new western The Hateful Eight.

Set in post-Civil War Wyoming, Tarantino’s film unravels the tale of a bounty hunter (Kurt Russell) who meets another bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson) and a supposed sheriff (Walton Goggins) while escorting his fugitive prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh) back to face justice. Forced to take refuge from a blizzard in a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass, they encounter an equally colorful quartet of characters and the plot thickens to the point where it becomes obvious that not everyone will make it to their final destination.

During a conversation moderated by Director Christopher Nolan (Interstellar) following the Los Angeles DGA screening on December 5, Tarantino spoke about what it took to bring his script to life and the joys of working with a powerhouse ensemble of actors that also included Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern.

In addition to The Hateful Eight, Tarantino’s work includes the feature films Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill: Vols. 1 & 2, Death Proof, Django Unchained; and episodes of the television series ER and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He was nominated for DGA Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film and the "Best Director" Oscar for his features Pulp Fiction and Inglourious Basterds.

Tarantino has been a member of the DGA since 2011.

Pictures & Video

photos by Elisa Haber - print courtesy of The Weinstein Company

View slideshow

FULL TALK (30:45): Director Quentin Tarantino talks about his new film, The Hateful Eight, with Director Christopher Nolan.

HIGHLIGHT: Tarantino considers how shooting in Ultra Panavision 70 mm affected the blocking of each scene and emphasized the suspense of the piece overall.

HIGHLIGHT: Tarantino explains how production took advantage of shooting on two separate sets: one in Colorado and the other in Los Angeles.

HIGHLIGHT: Director Quentin Tarantino reflects on how his experience of watching John Carpenter's The Thing for the first time influenced the tone of The Hateful Eight.

Director Quentin Tarantino speaks about the making of The Hateful Eight following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Quentin Tarantino speaks about the making of The Hateful Eight with Director Christopher Nolan (moderator) following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles.

Director Christopher Nolan (moderator) asks Director Quentin Tarantino a question about the making of The Hateful Eight.

Members of the DGA Los Angeles Theater audience hear Director Quentin Tarantino discuss the making of The Hateful Eight with Director Christopher Nolan (moderator).