Quentin Tarantino's father Tony has a bone to pick with his son, who recently referred to police officers who shot civilians as "murderers." Tony released a statement admonishing his son's words spoken at last weekend's rally, "Rise Up October to Stop Police Terror," in New York City.
"I love my son and have great respect for him as an artist but he is dead wrong in calling police officers, particularly in New York City where I grew up, murderers," Tony said in the statement released by the Patrolman's Benevolent Association (PBA) of the City of New York. "He is a passionate man and that comes out in his art but sometimes he lets his passion blind him to the facts and to reality. I believe that is what happened when he joined in those anti-cop protests."
Quentin told those gathered at the rally protesting police brutality that "this is not being dealt with in any way at all. That's why we are out here. If it was being dealt with, then these murdering cops would be in jail or at least be facing charges," according to Fox News.
He continued, "When I see murder, I do not stand by... I have to call a murder a murder, and I have to call the murderers the murderers."
The statements, which came in the wake of a New York City police officer dying in the line of duty, have caused a backlash amongst the law enforcement community. A number of police unions across the nation have called for a boycott of the director's work, including his upcoming film, "The Hateful Eight."
"We are very grateful to Tony Tarantino for having the courage to speak out and support the police. It is not easy criticizing someone you care about. But his son, Quentin Tarantino, has insulted the very people who protect his freedom of speech and who facilitate the making of his films. He owes an apology to law enforcement officers across the country and we will continue to encourage the boycotting of his films until he makes such an apology. The list of police agencies across the country who will boycott Quentin Tarantino's films is long and growing," PBA president Patrick J. Lynch said in a statement.
Quentin told The Telegraph in 2010 that he never shared a close relationship with his father. His parents split shortly after his birth.
"I never knew my father," he said. "That's the thing. I never knew him." Quentin added. "He wanted to be an actor. Now he's an actor only because he has my last name. But he was never part of my life. I didn't know him. I've never met him."
Quentin has not responded to the boycotts or calls for an apology nor has The Weinstein Company, which produced "The Hateful 8," out in theaters on Jan. 8, 2016.
