By: Taren Vaughan
The new Quentin Tarantino film Django Unchained starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson has been receiving rave reviews from movie critics and movie goers alike as the highly anticipated film was released in theaters on Christmas Day and is predicted to come in the number two spot at the Box Office this week, right behind Les Miserables. Jamie Foxx took on the lead role in the movie, playing the freed slave Django yet he admitted to having a very hard time dealing with some of the language that was used on set towards him, Jamie adding that he was not the only cast member who had trouble dealing with that. Attempting to get into the mindset of a slave was not an easy task for the Award-winning actor. But watching the film was something that a notable film director couldn’t even bring himself to do. Legendary film producer/director Spike Lee has put out a string of movies throughout his career that have been centered around different aspects of the African American community and society as a whole. Some of his films were laced with comedy while others took on a much more serious tone whenever Spike Lee was trying to really drive home a message that he wanted those who watched his movies to walk away with. Even with a line-up of very talented African Americans getting their shine, Django Unchained didn’t sit well at all with him as Spike revealed his true feelings about the film to VIBETV:
“All I’m going to say is that it’s disrespectfu
l to my ancestors. That’s just me…I’m not speaking on behalf of anybody else.”
Not stopping there, Spike took to his Twitter account to further discuss his displeasure with his followers about the latest Tarantino creation and sparked a lengthy dialogue that went on for hours that was initiated by this tweet:
American Slavery Was Not A Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western.It Was A Holocaust.My Ancestors Are Slaves.Stolen From Africa.I Will Honor Them.
— Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) December 22, 2012
Many of them applauded him for sharing his opinion on the movie as others weren’t happy about what he said. Spike was sure to reiterate again that he was not hating on the film but just stating his thoughts as some of his followers got a little annoyed with him.
Peep Spike Lee’s interview with VIBETV. What do you think about his comments?
I get what Spike is saying but the film was amazing. Lately, it just seems like Spike doesn’t support any black films besides his own. And his last one was terrible and absolutely disturbing. I would definitely recommend Django over that trash he just released over the summer.
Another black film Spike Lee doesn’t support. Shocker. -_-
Ok…
I LOVED the movie. It was awesome to see a black man or slave take out racist slave owners and save a beautiful black woman that he was madly in love with! Have several seats Spike!
Someone sprinkled Lawrys on themselves cuz dey salty b.
I love Spike Lee but I disagree with him on this one. The movie was about a slave’s revenge and a true love story. I enjoyed it and I think he should be more supportive of black actors and predominately black films than he is.
sigh…I really wish he would stop hating on everybody.
I agree Spike. The film exploits a time period that was very dramatic for Blacks in America and makes a blood thirsty mockery of that time period.
To me, any film that depicts black life especially slavery must not be a mockery or made light of.
I don’t think it’s exploitation and honestly how many movies on the holocaust are there? Is no one allowed to talk about or make a movie about slavery because it offends black people? That’s one of the issue of today everyone is always offended what’s the point of the 1st amendment if people are going to have to always apologize or walk on egg shells
*rolls eyes*
I enjoyed it…so…
But he’s right though…
How do you hate on a movie you haven’t seen? #Hater