9/14/2023 0 Comments Spike lee kidsHe emerged at a time when the American indie scene was thriving thanks to mavericks like John Sayles and Jim Jarmusch, but although Lee has made his share of studio movies, he has found that path to be difficult, unable to get passion projects off the ground and, instead, shooting films on a shoestring in order to tell provocative stories. How many 31-year-old films are still so ahead of their time?īorn in Atlanta but forever devoted to Brooklyn, Lee has learned to thrive as an independent filmmaker at a time when that proposition is becoming increasingly fraught. And, sadly, his voice is as necessary as ever: The recent murders of George Floyd and other black men and women at the hands of the police prove that Do the Right Thing’s racial injustice is still very much with us. Although a respected elder statesman with two Oscars - one honorary, one for co-writing the screenplay for BlacKkKlansman - he has refused to blunt his criticism of a society that imperils people of color. Remarkably, his passion and bravura haven’t diminished an iota with age. How can an artist of such vitality now be a senior citizen? For those of us who came of age with his movies, watching Mookie throw that trash can through Sal’s window in Do the Right Thing or witnessing Flipper confront his drug-addicted brother Gator in Jungle Fever, Lee has been our political conscience, talking about race and class in America in a way no other filmmaker has over the past four decades. It is hard to fathom that Spike Lee is 63 years old. Click here to subscribe.This article originally ran in August 2012 and has been updated to include the director’s most recent films. 24 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Jackson: And I chose Big Brothers Big Sisters because of their work mentoring young creatives, especially young people of color. There’s so much medical mistrust between the queer community and doctors and hospitals, so this type of place is really imperative. Satchel: I chose Callen-Lorde in New York City, which treats over 18,000 patients a year. Tell me about why you chose your respective organizations that will be receiving the HFPA grant. And our mom’s always been about teaching me to look out for myself, which is probably the most important lesson you can teach someone. Satchel: Our father has always told us to do what we want and not really listen to what anybody else thinks - including him and my mother, which then becomes somewhat of a Catch-22, but the advice is still good. What’s the most valuable advice your parents have given you? I want to know everybody, I want to know what you’re working on, and I want you to tell me how I can help make that a possibility. Satchel: If I had to define my dream job, I’ve always said from a young age that I just want to be a Gertrude Stein-type of person. But having a father who’s in multiple mediums - he does film, sneakers, clothing - showed me I don’t have to do just one thing. Anthony Causi, a photographer who passed away from COVID, was a dear friend and mentor who taught me pretty much everything I know about still photography at Knicks games. Jackson: At first, I kind of pigeonholed myself to photography. How have your own career goals changed over the years? I know how hard our parents worked to make sure that we were getting the education that we got and also being treated right by the teachers and the schools. Satchel Lee: We went to private schools our entire life, and I think it’s very difficult to be a black person - or anybody outside the majority - in those predominantly white institutions. What were the pros or cons of growing up in a public family? I thought my dad was just a big Knicks fan, honestly, because on the street everyone was all like, “Oh, Spike! How ’bout the Knicks?” All my friends came to school on the Monday after, and they were like, “Oh my God, your dad’s movie’s amazing!” I loved seeing my dad working, but I didn’t truly understand the magnitude of it. Jackson Lee: It was in fourth grade when Inside Man came out. How old were you when you realized your parents were a big deal? Judy Solomon, Beloved Longtime HFPA Member and Past President, Dies at 91
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