Quentin Tarantino collects Palm Dog award for ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ in person
One of the most bizarre events in the Cannes calendar, the Palm Dog ceremony gifts a prize to the best dog in competition. What started life as a strange pun (based on the iconic Palme d'Or) has become a ‘respected’ tradition.
It’s so respected that Tarantino turned up in person to collect his film’s trophy, on behalf of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’s star canine, Brandy. As you might expect, he also made a pretty verbose speech.
Read more: Tarantino cuts major stars from 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'
“I have to say I am so honoured to have this,” Tarantino said, as he accepted the golden collar given to the winner. “I’ve told everybody, I have no idea if we’re going to win the Palme d’Or. I feel no entitlement. But I did feel that I was in good standing to win the Palm Dog. So I want to dedicate this to my wonderful actress Brandy. She has brought the Palm Dog home to America.”
Whether Tarantino will be taking home the actual Palme d'Or, that’s another story. The film has proved to be slightly more divisive than expected, with a top-secret third act reveal proving to be the most problematic.
Read more: Tarantino's seven-minute ovation at Cannes looked incredibly awkward
People have also criticised Tarantino’s female representation in the film, with Margot Robbie’s lack of dialogue as Sharon Tate being called into question during a feisty Cannes press conference.
Robbie defended the character, saying, ‘The moments that I got onscreen gave an opportunity to honor Sharon and the lightness. The tragedy, ultimately, was the loss of innocence, and to really show those wonderful sides of her, could be adequately done without speaking.”
“I did feel like I got a lot of time to explore the character, even without dialogue specifically. … Rarely do I get an opportunity to spend so much time on my own as a character, going through a day-to-day existence. I actually really appreciated the exercise and felt that I could deliver what I wanted to onscreen.”
Still, the film won’t go empty-handed, thanks to the talents of Brandy, who plays Brad Pitt’s character Clint Booth’s pooch in the movie.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood will be in UK cinemas on 14 August.
