'Pulp Fiction' 30th anniversary reunion: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, more
John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman and Harvey Keitel reunited to celebrate the 30 year-anniversary of their cinematic triumph, "Pulp Fiction."
The stars attended a screening of Quentin Tarantino's 1994 cult classic on Thursday at the TCM Classic Film Festival. Joining them at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood were fellow cast members Phil LaMarr, Burr Steers, Frank Whaley, Eric Stoltz and Julia Sweeney.
"It's a timeless movie, a classic movie and it changed cinema history," Travolta told reporters at the event. "So to celebrate it in its 30th year is a joy,"
Jackson pointed to the film's dialogue, theatricality and his on-screen chemistry with Travolta as reasons for its impact on the art form.
"Creating those characters and creating those relationships, changed kind of the dynamic of how people looked at films and how they want the characters to react to each other inside those films," Jackson said.
Bruce Willis' family attend screening
Bruce Willis, who had a memorable role in the film as struggling boxer Butch Coolidge, did not attend the event. But his wife Emma Heming Willis and daughter Tallulah Willis took his place, and they both were applauded by the full crowd, Variety reported.
In 2022, the "Die Hard" star retired from acting following his diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. His family revealed in February 2023 that his condition had "progressed."
Aphasia is a disorder that comes from damage to parts of the brain responsible for language, according to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders.
Keitel says Tarantino mispronounced his name
Keitel, who spoke on stage ahead of the screening, shared an anecdote of Tarantino mispronouncing his name when they first met, Variety reported. He also praised the filmmaker's talent and presence on set.
"His aesthetic force was so powerful that it had the power to change your direction, and we’re all here tonight for the same reason: we respect the art and the artist," Keitel said. "God knows our country needs it now because of what’s going on in it."
He then made an analogy to MAGA hats, which displayed former Republican president Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great America," according to Variety. The audience cheered after Keitel delivered his punchline.
"It reminds me of the MAGA hats. I keep thinking, I’m a MAGA fan," Keitel added. "It’s just that Trump didn’t know how to spell underneath it, 'Vote Democratic.'"
Tarantino misses 30th anniversary 'Pulp Fiction' reunion
Tarantino did not attend the "Pulp Fiction" reunion but it's unclear why. The reunion came on the heels of a story in Deadline that Tarantino had decided to drop what was to be his 10th and final film, "The Movie Critic."
Contributing: Charles Trepany