'Give me a break' - Tarantino tires of defending ultra-violent films after Sandy Hook massacre

The Django Unchained director spoke at a press conference in New York a day after Friday's Connecticut massacre

Quentin Tarantino (Reuters)

In the wake of Friday’s shootings at a school in Connecticut which left 26 dead, arts events across America were cancelled.

But director of ultra-violent film Django Unchained went ahead with a press junket on Saturday, and went on to remark that he is tired of defending his films every time America is rocked by gun violence.

Speaking in New York Quentin Tarantino said: “I just think you know there's violence in the world, tragedies happen, blame the playmakers. It's a western. Give me a break."

The Oscar-nominated director of Inglourious Basterds and the Palme d'Or winning Pulp Fiction, said blame for violence should remain squarely with the perpetrators.

At the weekend both the Jack Reacher and Parental Guidance film premieres were cancelled in response to Friday’s massacre.

Reacher, which stars Tom Cruise, features a sniper attack. A spokesman for Paramount Pictures said: "Due to the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, and out of honour and respect for the families of the victims whose lives were senselessly taken, we are postponing the Pittsburgh premiere of Jack Reacher. Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones."

Speaking of the cancelled red carpet premiere and party for Parental Guidance, which stars Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei, a Fox spokesman said: "In light of the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut we are cancelling the red carpet event and the after party for the Parental Guidance premiere, scheduled today in downtown Los Angeles. The hearts of all involved with this film go out to the victims, their families, their community, and our entire nation in mourning.”

Fox TV screened repeats of comedy series Family Guy and American Dad last night instead of the scheduled Christmas specials, both of which are said to have featured school children and were deemed potentially insensitive.

Twenty children and six women died in the attack at Sandy Hook school by a gunman who shot himself dead at the scene.