Many Spike Lee fans anticipate the release of upcoming film Chi-raq, set to release December 4th. Chi-raq was filmed last summer in Chicago, starring actors Samuel L. Jackson, Nick Cannon, Jennifer Hudson, and more. The movie musical is a modern film adaptation of the play Lysistrata by Greek philosopher Aristophane. Lysistrata describes women withholding sex to change their husband's barbarian ways and to put an end to the Peloponnesian war. The Greek play is a perfect choice because it correlates with the murders and gun violence happening in Chicago right now. Lee released Chi-raq trailer November 4th, a month before the set release date. So far, many Chicagoans disagree with Lee's creative choice. CNN reports critiques calling the adaptation insensitive.
"From the trailer alone it feels like Spike Lee sold his own people out to make a film centered around an issue that is very real," tweets Chicago Hip-Hop producer Thelonious Martin. Collective reactions state using a comedic play to represent the harsh reality of gun violence in Chicago appalling.
Lee responds in an interview with Chicago Magazine,"There are many examples-- music, plays, novels, movies-- where humor has been injected into very serious subject matters; so people need to relax. They need to stop thinking I'm gonna make light of the loss of life. Please. Calm down."
Chiraq is a term used to describe the living environment and gun violence in Chicago, comparing it to modern day version of Iraq. It's no secret the gun violence that plagues the inner city streets of the United States; but that does not mean we have to make all films based on serious issues solely dark and documentary based.
In my opinion, Chi-raq takes a reality and makes it viewable to those who don't understand the severity of gun violence problems, not only in Chicago, but everywhere.This film will inform the public on how bad gun violence goes while entertaining audiences by sparking an idea as to how go about stopping gun violence. Critics that believe the film disrespects lives lost during gun violence feel this way based on personal experience; for those that have not reaped the consequences losing someone to gun violence, you should watch the film before making assumptions that Spike Lee (director of comedy/serious film Do The Right Thing) takes gun violence lightly. Chi-raq is a film that's not only for people who want to understand the gun violence problem in Chicago, it's also a family film -- a film that will spark conversations and inspire solutions. As famous Chicago rapper Rhymefest said, "What we are facing, the governments cannot fix. The only cure for the Chiraq that's in our heads is family. Parents. Mentors. Community members. When family comes back together you'll see Chiraq disappear."
Here's the trailer of Spike Lee's Chi-raq.
