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SPIKE LEE: Ready To "Riot"
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Spike Lee is clearly one of the most important directors of his generation -- with a wide array of skillfully executed films dealing with subject matter that does not fit the status quo.
During his late 1980s heyday, Brooklyn's native son drew ire with films about sexual promiscuity ('She's Gotta Have It'), foolishness in higher education ('Skool Daze'), and racial strife ('Do The Right Thing').
In the early 1990s, he continued his thought provoking movie making with the controversial films 'Jungle Fever' (which dealt with interracial dating), and 'Malcolm X' (no explanation needed).
His well crafted documentaries '4 Little Girls' and 'Jim Brown: All American' just served as a taste of what was to come with his most recent work 'When The Levees Broke: A Requeim In Four Acts,' a riveting HBO Films documentary on Hurricane Katrina (available on DVD Dec. 12).
Now comes word that Lee will make the the violent race-based eruption in Los Angles (following the 1992 "not guilty" verdicts of four white officers who were videotaped beating motorist Rodney King) the subject of his next film.
According to 'Variety,' 'L.A. Riots' will be produced by Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment under Universal Pictures and John Ridley ('Three Kings') is attached as the project's scriptwriter.
"This isn't about some cavalcade of stars, but rather a truthful and realistic examination of what happened, what the ramifications were and where we are now, in hopes that something like this doesn't happen again," Lee told the industry trade magazine.
The filmmaker is also reportedly developing a sequel for 'Inside Man,' which is his highest grossing film, to date starring Denzel Washington, Jody Foster and Clive Owen.
BV Extras:
-- Spike Lee speaks to acclaimed film journalist Miki Turner about 'When The Levees Broke'
-- BV Super Producer Angela Bronner reflects on the riveting documentary.
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I have admired Mr. Lee for many years. He is truly a leader amongs Black America. The existing so called leader are wishy-washy to say the least. The so call leaders of today that march with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and Macolm X are too busy trying to keep there politically given jobs and making sure that their families have high paying jobs in television and congress. How dare they call themselves leaders of the African American Community! They talk a good game, and make sure that wgeb every black tragegy that happens, that they are in front of the television. I only blame them for the phoniness, and pretense...I know that they cannot come out and fight for their people like Spike does, or they will lose their cushionie lifestyles. Spike is really a serious minded Black American Man, that is not afraid to defend who he is, where he came from, and to speak about the problems that confronts Black Americans in this country. He is a human-being who has principles and not afraid to let it be known. Thank you Spike Lee. Try to hold on to what you believe and do not sell out. The Black community is crying out for leadership. Right now I only see you. I am not a visionary per se, but I can help make the vision become a reality given the opportunity.
Your supporter,
Martha McGee, Georgia -
First of all there's no nastiness about keeping it real, and excuse me but, whose profiting and getting the handouts here? You need to come back to reality and see that black folks always support those super rich ones, and stand behind their own no matter what. We support rapists, pedophiles, whores,oreos, drug dealers, pimps and drug addicts. It's that passive attitude that has us as a people f*cked up. What those people eat don't make you fat so, stop it! Stop acting like people are just hating on each other doing the crabs in the barrel thing. Support people you can really stand behind like in your local youth programs, adult education programs, Hale House, and Catholic Charities. No wonder people look at us like idiots. Check the message, take a long look at the world you know and in the words of Spike Lee" WAKE UP!!!
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Wow never in my life have i heard such nastiness. Thats whats wrong with us as a race, we are so easy to put each other down. If we started lifting each other up no matter what our short comings are then things would be better. I like spike lee, oprah and whoever else black that have made something of themselves and arent waiting for a handout or feel that they are owed something. This world is in shambles and if a race war would break out , we as blacks would be the only race turning towards each other by holding grudges and saying what that person should or shouldnt have done , instead of just embracing each other and loving one another.
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Mr. Lee I hope you ask the question, where did the money go? The millions that Bush and Clinton raised. I was told it went yo churches. I wonder why a church that had full coverage recieved more than smaller churches that had no insurance?
Mr Lee must ask this question and demand answers. There are many of us ( individuals ) who have recieved no help. Many Pastors have recieved money , put it in their pockets.
We are being raped without a lubricant.
Bill in Gentilly
1/15/07 3:21 AM