By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
It’s no secret that Django was one of the most controversial movies of 2012. The film, which was directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a film about a slave that becomes a bounty hunter in exchange to free his wife from the clutches of her evil slave master. Now, it’s no surprise that some African Americans were offended by the premise of the film, especially since they weren’t too fond that a white director was overseeing a film about a slave, however, the film’s biggest critic ended up being movie heavyweight Spike Lee. Spike has gone on the record several times, complaining about the film, and urged black people not to support it.
Lee feels the movie made light of slavery, and he just felt it was inappropriate and insensitive for Tarantino to direct it.
Despite Spike Lee’s criticism, the film did well in the box office and black people supported the film in droves. It’s even been nominated for five Oscars, and praised by critics as easily being one of the best films of 2012, despite it’s December premiere.
Jamie Foxx has been pretty respectful about Spike Lee’s comments for the most part, and took the criticism all in stride. But in a recent interview, Foxx couldn’t hold back any longer, and he threw some shade to the black filmmaker for criticizing the film and not supporting the black actors that made the film successful.
According to Jamie, Spike Lee isn’t supportive of any black film that isn’t his, and he’s only being negative because his career is finished.
Jamie says:
“The question for me is: where’s Spike Lee coming from? He didn’t like Whoopi Goldberg, he doesn’t like Tyler Perry, he doesn’t like anybody, I think he’s sort of run his course. I mean, I respect Spike, he’s a fantastic director. But he gets a little shady when he’s taking shots at his colleagues without looking at the work. To me, that’s irresponsible.”
Jamie also feels that it’s silly to suggest that a white director can’t make a black film or a film centered on slavery:
“But you got to look at the individual cases. When Pat Boone covered Little Richard, you think, ‘Huh?’, he’s got no affinity for it. Good Golly Miss Molly? I don’t think so. But you can’t tell me that Eminem ain’t hot ‘cos he’s white or that Elvis Presley isn’t a bad motherf**ker, or that Quentin Tarantino can’t do whatever he likes, ‘cos damn straight he can.”
I respect Spike, but he does come off like he’s bitter. He hasn’t always made movies that uplift the black community either. He needs to chill out.
He said the truth. The only black films Spike Lee likes are his own. Smh.
Saw the movie and couldn’t understand how it was offensive.
I agree with Jamie. I think it’s disgusting that Spike is always publicly slamming other black films. He needs to really get over himself.
I wish people would stop acting like Spike Lee is some great director who hasn’t made bad movies. He’s not perfect. In fact, his last movie was terrible I almost completely gave up on him then. He’s jealous and he hasn’t made enough good movies to criticize anyone.
Spike Lee is a hater period. I never take anything he says seriously anymore. No one should. Support these black films and black actors.