Will Quentin Tarantino do a Documentary on Harvey Weinstein?

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Will Quentin Tarantino do a Documentary on Harvey Weinstein?

By our guest blogger, Tim Strain

Harvey Weinstein and Quentin Tarantino have been huge names in Hollywood for almost 20 years now (it doesn’t feel that long, does it?), and they have been in the headlines more than ever recently. For QT, the press is good, with him receiving some of the best reviews and the highest box-office returns ever for “Inglourious Basterds.” For Weinstein, who recently announced that his production company would be folding, the news is not so good.

Each man owes much of his success to the other. As polarizing as both of these characters may be, no one can deny the impact they have had on the film industry, especially its independent front, since the early '90s. The New York Times reveals in its recent profile of filmmaker Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich that Tarantino is whispering about chronicling the rise and fall of the producer. Avrich, though, has been working hard to make his own document, entitled “Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project.” As the title suggests, the film does not have Weinstein’s blessing.

Avrich’s film was shot for less than $1 million and financially backed by the Canadian television network Movie Network and Movie Central, and he unsuccessfully lobbied for financing from American production companies. He sent a six-page proposal to several prospective financiers, writing in it that, “There are those that say making a documentary film on Harvey Weinstein is career suicide or, in fact, personally dangerous. Others have warned me that Harvey will never allow the film to get distribution.”

The profile goes on to reveal that Tarantino has “unofficially been kicking around the idea” of a documentary with Weinstein. While the idea of a film documenting Weinstein’s career and life without his consent may seem juicier than Tarantino’s idea on paper, does anyone believe that QT would go light on the controversial details? He would have a lot more access to information than Avrich, and he is not exactly one to pass up the opportunity to work on contentious material.

If this turns into Tarantino’s next project, what then will happen to his other mentioned upcoming films? He has stated that he wants to make “Kill Bill Volume 3” in 3-D in time for a 2014 release, as well as a Spaghetti Western, a southern KKK-sploitation revenge film, and a 1930s gangster picture, among others. Knowing QT, these could all be rolled into one piece. Tarantino has largely kept quiet about this project as of now, but when details emerge, we will let you know.