Watch Spike Lee's Infamous Rant At Sundance

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• Karina | January 27, 2012 2:48 PMReply

  No apologies necessary. I'm grateful that Spike Lee is tell and showing filmmakers how to get it done.

• Sharon | January 26, 2012 8:00 AMReply

  I'm not mad at Spike for the rant just for the swearing. I think we should be past that type of language. He is right about Hollywood not knowing anything about us as a people and the pain reason is that they exclude us for the most part but we are not alone...

• Sharon | January 26, 2012 8:19 AM

  that would be main reason... Oh and let's forget about Tyler for a minute the question was not about him. Separate.... but if you want to talk about Tyler ask him why he doesn't film where he has to pay union actor's scale and why is it that the same people are always in his productions? Why is he not giving actor's that have not only dreamed but worked and trained a shot. He is doing the same to them that others did to him only thing is those actors and actresses supported him and made it possible for him to have what he has. He did not do it all himself. Those inspirational 2 - 3 min videos he makes is not payment enough as in paying forward when his is riding in style as the actors struggle and lose all when he can help some... Spike is Spike and he does things the way he does them because of who he is. I don't think we should be bashing him for this one. The media just wants something to write and talk about this time it wasn't really a bad thing...

• DA MAN | January 26, 2012 1:15 AMReply

  There was nothing wrong with his rant! Give it a rest goddamn it..... I love this blog. But seriously.

• Cynthia | January 26, 2012 1:54 AM

  We agree @Da Man. That's why he says judge for yourself if it was that "shocking." I wished I had posted this myself because this was a HUGE media fail and most people ignored it. This was sold by the media as a "he went bonkers" type of episode and that was total bull.

• Xi | January 25, 2012 10:10 PMReply

  Can we stop comparing Spike Lee to Tyler Perry when it comes to the art of filmmaking. One is an artist, the other, a business man. It's like comparing Wu Tang to Diddy.

• curtis | January 26, 2012 12:04 AM

  True, However the Artist has not made art in a long long time and the business man is on top of his game. Be great if these two powerful black men would come together and stop fighting.

• Black Panther | January 25, 2012 8:28 PMReply

  Spike Lee is trying to help us black folk, but YOU FUCKING NIGGAS DON'T UNDERSTAND. I'm crying real tears right now, because this just frustrates me to end. My people are doomed, and Tambay's clearly a virgin.

• Jason | January 25, 2012 6:48 PMReply

  Sergio,
  you should considering putting up a spoiler warning in the description here because Spike blurts out a major plot point out during his introduction of the cast. As this was a Q&A following the premiere it was meant for the audience but everyone else watching the video here haven't seen the movie.

• Jason | January 25, 2012 9:16 PM

  I read a a small handful of reviews that didn't reveal it. Tambay in his write up purposely avoided it even though he said he had his suspicions while watching the movie.
  
  I think it would be courteous to give a warning as even Tambay himself noted that it's best to watch the movie not knowing as much as one can before going in.

• BluTopaz | January 25, 2012 8:07 PM

  LMAO @ "And the main character is a preacher so what else could it be"

• Sergio | January 25, 2012 7:03 PM

  The plot twist has been pretty much revealed everywhere else so it's not so much a secret anymore. And the main character is a preacher so what else could it be??? I mean I could figure that out real easy without even seeing the movie when I first read there was a big shocking twist in the film

• Donella | January 25, 2012 5:20 PMReply

  Passionate. Talented. Creative. Frustrated. Provoked by Chris Rock. Lost his temper. Protective of the children in the cast. Good intentions. Poorly executed. Needs to hire a strong public relations handler to step in on the questions that push his buttons.

• David | January 25, 2012 4:53 PMReply

  What's funny is that when George Lucas spoke on him financing his film with his own money and spoke on how Hollywood views Black people in films, these same folks acted as if it were a brand new revelation, ran out to the theaters and supported him. Spike says and did the same in financing his movie and it's: "Stfu Spike," Stop complaining, Spike. Your last movie sucked, Spike. As if George Lucas hadn't made three duds himself according to the critics and in the court of public opinion. (I'm speaking of The last three Star War films). So the question is, are we really interested in "saving black cinema?"

• tyson | January 25, 2012 5:38 PM

  Yes we are interested in saving black cinama but the awful Red hook summer is just making black cinama worst. I don't care how pro black spike lee is when he makes awful films like girl6 she hate me, miracle at st Anna and Red Hook Summer I am not seeing.

• Orville | January 25, 2012 4:53 PMReply

  Spike Lee has done a lot for black American cinema but his time has passed. I think it is brand new day with people like Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, and Dee Rees these three black queer directors have taken Hollywood by storm! Gay and lesbian African American directors have proven that going beyond the heterosexual black narrative is the way to go. Pariah is a huge success and so was Precious both involved black queer artists.

• Mark | January 25, 2012 5:25 PM

  Can you be more offensive or ignorant about how Hollywood works? None of Tyler Perry's movies is a queer film. Perry denies being gay. Daniels may be gay but "Precious" was not a gay film. Dee Rees created a great movie with "Pariah" but it's not a Hollywood hit. Hollywood judges success not just by critical praise but by the box office.
  
  Dismissing Lee is just ridiculous. How many white directors with his pedigree get told that their over the hill? Not that many. Woody Allen is far older than Lee but his latest movie, "Midnight in Paris" is financial success and received an Oscar nomination.
  
  Seriously, I am perplexed by your thinking that Hollywood would openly embrace black queer filmmakers more so than they would heterosexual black filmmakers. Do you read this blog on a regular basis?

• Khan | January 25, 2012 3:18 PMReply

  Why can't Spike do something proactive instead of just going off for no reason? I have never understood that about him. Honestly, I loved most of his films from the 90's. Mo Better Blues, Jungle Fever, School Daze, and She's Gotta Have It were my favorites but his latest work has been disappointing.
  
  I'm very proud of my heritage and have never shied away from standing up to racial injustice but it doesn't consume me. Maybe if Spike focused his energy on at least making a decent film instead of race people would start going to see his movies again. I saw She Hate Me and Miracle At St. Anna in the theater and still want my money back.

• Orville | January 26, 2012 9:34 PM

  The Madea character is indeed queer and if you are too stupid to figure that out too bad for you. Tyler Perry got the idea for the Madea character from Ms. Sophia a black drag queen from Atlanta. Madea is very queer and has a lot of elements of drag to it. Tyler Perry's movies are camp and definitely have a LGBT undercurrent vibe to his work.

• urbanauteur | January 25, 2012 1:53 PMReply

  Yeah, here we go....Department of Blame once again 'tarred & feathered' to a brother who expresses any kind of resilence or passion in his dismay to what's poppin in Amerika.
  go broh man, by way of the buffalo.

• kathy | January 25, 2012 12:18 PMReply

  I was so hopeing that Red Hook Summer would be the great return of Spike but it looks like he keeps going down into the ground. I am very sure they are looking for somebody else to direct oldboy. Thank god for Dee Rees and Steve McQueen and even Tyler Perry for showing Hollywood that black people will go to theaters in big numbers.

• urbanauteur | January 25, 2012 5:21 PM

  @DONELLA, U on point with that one, those particular bio-pics, practically cries out his name.

• Donella | January 25, 2012 5:00 PM

  ***"I am very sure they are looking for somebody else to direct oldboy."***I hope so. I still don't understand the point of remaking Oldboy (or Let the Right One In or Dragon Tattoo, for that matter). The original is usually the better version. I'd actually prefer to see Spike lend his talents to a biopic on either Angela Davis, Elaine Brown, Assata Shakur, or Barbara Jordan.

• power | January 25, 2012 12:01 PMReply

  I agree with Spike but Red Hook Summer was awful and messy. Almost as bad as Girl 6 and She hate me. If Hollywood don't think Inside Man 2 is a good idea then it is there money and there call.

• tyson | January 25, 2012 11:52 AMReply

  Ment as a reply to Vermont.

• tyson | January 25, 2012 11:50 AMReply

  Tyler is not giving shit to Spike. That is a fact.

• Zeus | January 25, 2012 11:53 AM

  Yes it is and Spike was never asking. So what's your point?

• vermont | January 25, 2012 11:40 AMReply

  So nice to see people calling Spike lee out on his BS. If Hollywood will not give you money then do what Perry and Lucas did. Take 50 million on your own money and make the film yourself. Why are you begging hollywhite for money. Go ask Tyler Perry for some. He has a lot.

• Mark | January 25, 2012 5:30 PM

  What makes you think that Tyler Perry uses his own money to fund his films? Perry is associated with Lionsgate, which funds and distributes his movies.
  
  Moreover, Tyler Perry is a hack. Everyone knows that. Perry can make B-movies that make money. However, no one considers him a great filmmaker (black, white, yellow, etc.).

• Zeus | January 25, 2012 11:44 AM

  He did use his own money for "Red Hook". That's what the whole "rant" is about.

• albert | January 25, 2012 11:27 AMReply

  I can understand why spike is mad. However Hollywood is not going to give you money just because you are black. Spike you films do not make money. Red hook summer will go stright to DVD just like the awful she hate me and sucker free city. People don't see your films because they are not good like your 90s films. Stop hating on Tyler Perry and Will Packed because of there huge success in Hollywood and get your self together. You can not bite the hand that feed you.

• Neziah | January 25, 2012 11:35 AM

  It got a limited release and made half a million dollars in its entire run, so it flopped, but it was still in theaters.

• Zeus | January 25, 2012 11:32 AM

  "She Hate Me was in theaters before it hit DVD."--->Oops. Those damn facts again.

• Neziah | January 25, 2012 11:31 AM

  She Hate Me was in theaters before it hit DVD.

• vergie | January 25, 2012 11:14 AMReply

  Spike you hate for Hollywood is getting old. Look at Tyler Perry, Hollywood shut the door in his face and now look at him. The reason why nobody goes to see your films is because of you not Hollywood. In the words of Edward Norton in one of your last best films 25th Hour. Move the funk on. Say something new or shut up.

• Xi | January 25, 2012 9:36 PM

  The reason why most people won't go to see his films is because most people don't want to think.

• Darkan | January 25, 2012 11:14 AMReply

  They tried to demonize him because he was cursing. *Rolling my eyes* He keep it clear and concise and broke it down to them the "Project way". He just kept it real like I would've. He's frustrated and the passion in his voice showed. I think Chris Rock was being an agitator and sarcastic on the sly anyway. More people need to blow up and tell it like it tis!!!

• tyson | January 25, 2012 11:02 AMReply

  Spike needs to shut up. It not Tyler Perry problem that Hollywood don't like you. When you make crap like Red hook summer, miracle at st Anna and she hate me do really think Hollywood is going to give you money. You sir need to move on because right now Hollywood and Tyler Perry are at the top while you half to beg people to give you money. Time to act your age spike.

• Verinia | January 30, 2012 3:54 PM

  I don't agree with everything that Spike Lee says however he is an excellent filmmaker. You may not prefer his style of filmmaker, he is very relevent to the fight for black filmmakers. He says what other black filmmakers need to say. White people just don't like how he says it.

• Miles Ellison | January 25, 2012 7:24 PM

  You may believe that Red Hook Summer and Miracle at St. Anna were crap, but those films are light years better than the movies Tyler Perry is making.

• Zeus | January 25, 2012 11:27 AM

  Spike never said Tyler was the problem with him not getting "Inside Man 2" made, he said it was because of Universal Studios. Watch the video and maybe you might know what your talking about.

• Neziah | January 25, 2012 10:56 AMReply

  Saw it last night thanks to Zeus's link, and like he said, the media made a cheap attempt at stirring up controversy. Spike didn't do anything he never did before, and everything he said last night was true, whether people want to believe it or not. He's the Malcolm X of our generation, and he isn't going away anytime soon, because now he won't rely on Hollywood again. Put out your OWN film, and don't rely on some big-budget distributor, because they don't care about us unless our film has a black man wearing a dress and acting a damn fool.

• Zeus | January 25, 2012 10:50 AMReply

  Again...blown WAY out of proportion. Anytime a black man says motherf%#cker more than once, the media label it a foaming at the mouth "rant." And of course the Tyler Perry fans did a holy ghost dance because they thought Spike is catching some kind of damn karma for Spike not kissing Tyler's ass like they do. FAIL. Nothing wrong with telling the truth and nothing wrong with Spike's career.

• NinaG | January 25, 2012 12:48 PM

  Exactly. My first thought in hearing about this Q&A was that Spike was probably talking with a lot of energy...and some people get scared when they see a black man do that. I watched this video just waiting for him to start spazzing...didn't happen. People are over-reacting.