A2 Postmodernism Media: 2015

“American Slavery Was Not A Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. It Was A Holocaust. My Ancestors Are Slaves. Stolen From Africa. I Will Honor Them”. Spike Lee

In order to understand WHY Spike Lee refused to watch Django Unchained we need to understand WHAT his complaint was.

What is a western?
Is an ongoing film series that examines a variety of movies about the American West. The
majority of the films are traditional Westerns set in the nineteenth century, however,
nontraditional Westerns and films outside of the Western genre that provide unique insights
into the region are also featured.

What is a spaghetti western?
A western film made cheaply in Europe by an Italian director.

What is a blaxploitation film?
Blaxploitation or blacksploitation is a film genre that emerged in the United States in the 1970's. It is considered an ethnic subgenre of the general category of exploitation films. Blaxploitation films were originally made specifically for an urban black audience, although the genre's audience appeal soon broadened across racial and ethnic lines.

Which THREE films does Django Unchained take its name from?
The first of the films is the 1966 western 'Django.' The second film which 'Django Unchained' developed its name from is the 1959 Western titled 'Hercules Unchained'. Another inspiration which is clear to see in the 'Django Unchained' is the 1975 film 'Mandingo' which features black American slaves who are trained to fight other slaves. Tarantino also included scenes in the snow as a homage to the 1968 western 'The Great Silence'.

Why does Franco Nero appear in the film and what is the significance of his dialogue with Jamie Foxx?
Nero appeared in the film due to the fact that Tarantino is a huge fan of the original 1966 film. Tarantino gave Nero a cameo appearance to highlight the post modernism of the film. Nero, who plays the character of a Mandingo slaver walks to bar and asks Foxx what his name is, Foxx replies with his name, i which Nero responds "Can you spell it?" Foxx's character then replies with "D-J-A-N-G-O, the D is silent." At this point Nero's character stares blankly at Foxx and replies with the words "I Know." This particular piece of dialogue is extremely significant as it highlights the importance of Nero's role, and clearly portrays to the audience that he was the original Django.

What song plays over the final credits and how does this film connect to the original film Django?
'Trinity' by Titoli is the song which plays over the final credits of 'Django Unchained'.

Which other song from Django features in Django Unchained?
Director Tarantino opted to use the same opening song, produced by American singer Rocky Roberts and Argentinian-Italian composer Luis Bacalov.

Who or what is Mr Ed?
Mr Ed was an American comedy television programme which aired from 1961-1966.

What is the significance of the red mask worn by Zoe Bell as Django murders the killers of d’Artagnan?
The red mask worn by Zoe Bell during 'Django Unchained' is in fact a significant aspect of Mise En Scene. The red mask appears moments before mass violence and death occurs in the film. The colour of the mask is used to connote a variety of different things, including blood and danger. The red mask appears on a number of occasions throughout the film.

The name of the saloon in which Schultz and Django drink is called Minnesota Clay, why?
Minnesota clay is a 1965 spaghetti western which was directed by Sergio Corbucci, the director of 'Django' and 'The Great Silence.'

Who is Ennio Morricone?
Ennio Morricone is an Italian composer, orchestrator and conductor, who has written movies for over 500 motion picture and television series.

What connects him to both Django Unchained and director Sergio Corbucci?
Morricone's music has been reused for television and in movies including Quentin Tarantino films such as Kill Bill Vol. 1, Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained.

What is the significance of the name Von Shaft?
It was noted by Quentin Tarantino during the 2012 Comic-Con panel that Broomhilda von Shaft and Django Freeman from his movie Django Unchained are intended as the great-great-great-great grandparents of John Shaft, from the Shaft movie series. Shaft is a 1971 American Blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

What TV western does Django's western style outfit pay homage to?
Tarantino took inspiration from the western TV show Bonanza. When Dr. Schultz and Django begin their bounty hunting, Django is pictured wearing a green shirt, cream trousers and a brown cowboy hat. This outfit is virtually identical to the one used in Bonanza.