Spike Lee to Chi-raq critics: "God bless 'em"
Spike Lee isn't flinching at criticism of his latest film Chi-Raq, a modern day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata. As in Aristophanes' classic tale, local women withhold sex to curb violence among their men — but this time the story takes place in Chicago's Southside.
Some are calling the film Spike Lee's best work in recent times. But others have criticized everything from the film's title and tone to it's depictions of black female sexuality.
"This thing is called art," says Lee, adding that no one's saying things he hasn't heard before. "People have their own interpretations. Everybody comes to the theatre from different backgrounds, different mindsets. That's just the way it is."
Lee joins Shad to discuss sex, comedy and satire as devices for social commentary. He also zooms out to talk about the film industry, and why we need more diversity in rooms that give the green light.
WEB EXTRA | Over the past four decades, Spike Lee has used his director's chair to offer poignant stories about the African American experience — from She's Gotta Have It and Do The Right Thing to Malcolm X and When the Levees Broke.
His latest, Chi-Raq is getting a limited release in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Watch the trailer below.