I have breaking news for many members of the African American movie going public. Spike Lee is not the first and definitely will not be the last black filmmaker in the post exploitation era of African American film. I know… shocking, especially coming from a young African American male, let alone a future filmmaker who hopes to reach the level of his Lee-ness. But before I am crucified in the court of public opinion I would like to call attention to a bit of evidence.
Exhibit A… Has anyone ever heard of John Singleton? F. Gary Gray? Antoine Fuqua? Tim Story? Kasi Lemmons? Thomas Carter? And yes… *sigh*…Tyler Perry?
Why not? Each of these filmmakers has had critical and commercial success domestically. In light of that particular fact it seems interesting that our conversation tends begin and end with Spike Lee when we discuss the modern Black film community.
Exhibit B… What about the history? To be honest, outside of Oscar Micheaux (on the off chance that most of us know who that is) I find it hard to believe that the average Black film fan or student can name a filmmaker who has made any significant contributions to the field BSE (Before the Spike era). Can we really consider ourselves fans, aficionados or anything in between if we know nothing of the history that we claim has such significance?
Exhibit C… Which of Lee's films have we actually seen? Personally, I am a fan of Lee's work, but I definitely haven't seen them all. I make no apologies for that. I would like to know more of his work, but I am more interested in becoming a well rounded film critic and fan, than a walking resume for Spike.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I would never question Spike Lee's contribution to the legacy of Black film. But let us not forget, it is a legacy, and it goes on.
I know you are probably ready to yank my membership to the Spike Lee fan club but let's consider his actual contribution to that legacy. For all his storytelling ability, Spike Lee has never won an Oscar, and has been nominated for exactly as many as John Singleton who is probably considered the more "safe" of the two directors.
In my closing argument, I want to apologize. To all those who believed they had a handle on all Black cinema because they saw "Do the Right Thing" and "Malcolm X", I am sorry, but there is much more to our contribution than that. Spike Lee is a voice. One voice, albeit one with an incredible singularity of vision and an intensely devoted following. But there are others. Black directors are responsible for Training Day, Fantastic Four, Tears of the Sun, The Italian Job, Four Brothers, Eve's Bayou, Barbershop, Something New, and other good films too numerous to list.
For hundreds of years in this country our contributions as a people have been reduced, discounted, and pigeonholed. Let's not be a part of the problem. I leave you with a quote from the Bible.
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
I rest my case.
All that being said, I am going to see Miracle at St. Anna this weekend. You should too.
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2 comments:
this was actually really educational for me! i love Fantastic Four, The Italian Job, Four Brothers, and Something New, yet i was totally oblivious to the truth of whose great minds were behind these awesome movies =).
First of all, I don't think winning (or even being nominated for an Oscar) is a fair judge of one's film making ability, popularity, or success. I think we can both agree that there has been plenty of times when Oscar has gotten it wrong. Look at how long it took Scorsese (one of your favorites) to be recoginized by "the Academy." Plus Spike has really only made two mainstream movies. So not counting his most recent work, I think that being a Black Man (and yes I'm going here)and doing films about his particular subject matter has worked against him in regards to "the Academy". Had those films been made during this decade, things may have been a little different. But since Spike did most of his work 20 years ago, that's really what you mostly have to go by. Maybe things will be different with "St. Anna", who knows? But my point is, I don't think that is fair criteria by which to judge Spike. Other than that, I think it was an excellent commentary. I always love your insight when it comes to cinema. I'll have to see "St. Anna" before I read you next blog. Don't worry, I'll be back ;)
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