Quentin Tarantino dismissed an ominous threat from a major law enforcement union Saturday which is at odds with the director for calling police murderers.
The controversy began Oct. 25 when the director spoke at a rally against police brutality. In response Jim Pasco, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, gave what appeared to be a veiled threat. He went into few details, noting only that something may happen before the premier of Tarantino’s new movie, “The Hateful Eight.”
“Something is in the works, but the element of surprise is the most important element,” Pasco told The Hollywood Reporter. “Something could happen anytime between now and [the premiere]. And a lot of it is going to be driven by Tarantino, who is nothing if not predictable.”
“People ask me, ‘Are you worried?’” Tarantino said according to The Daily Beast. “And the answer’s no, I’m not worried, because I do not feel like the police force is this sinister black hand organization that goes out and fucks up individual citizens in a conspiracy sort of way.”
Law enforcement agencies are under increased scrutiny over recent instances of alleged misconduct. Critics argue police have been using excessive force at an alarming rate, especially against minority populations.
“Having said that, a civil servant shouldn’t be issuing threats, even rhetorically, to private citizens,” Tarantino continued. “The only thing I can imagine is that they might be planning to picket us, picket one of the screenings or maybe picket the premiere, or one of the 70mm screenings.”
While some defend the director, others say he is out of line. Even his own father told the New York Police Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association his famous son is wrong.
Freddie Gray died in April from spinal injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police. Michael Brown was shot dead after robbing a store and assaulting police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. Another incident involving police misconduct resulted in the death of Eric Garner.
The incidents have prompted several protests as well as riots and looting. They also sparked a national debate on police using excessive force and institutional racism. There has also been a national backlash to police using what is known as civil asset forfeiture. The practice allows police to confiscate private property if a person is assumed to be engaged in criminal activity and the person doesn’t need to be charged.
Tarantino’s latest film will be in theaters Jan. 8.
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