Spike Lee is teaming up with Samuel L. Jackson, Common, Jeremy Piven and Kanye West, amongst others to cast in his next movie for Amazon Studios!
According to The Wrap, the movie will be called “Chiraq” and with little details about the plot, one can only assume that the title may have to do with the gun violence and murders that has plagued Chicago for years. It would only make sense that West and Piven would be apart of the project because they are both Chicago natives as well.
Some people aren’t too happy about the movie though as people criticize Spike for trying to make money off of Chicago’s checkered reputation.
Community activist, Andrew Holmes, spoke to the Chicago Tribune saying , “I’ve seen bloodshed, people shot in the head, their hearts are out on the concrete. I mean, don’t come and make money off of what is going on in the streets with these kids because it’s hurting these parents.”
He goes on to question where would the money that will be generated from the movie be going. He states that if the money isn’t going back into the community what good would it make that Spike is glorifying a term that so many Chicago gang members coined and brag about.
Representatives for Common and West did not respond to multiple requests for comment, while a representative for Amazon declined to comment.
Spike Lee will be in Chicago to be apart of the Chicago International Movies & Music Festival later this month. Rumor has it he will start filming then also. Let’s chat below, are you excited about the new film?
Sources Sited: Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-spike-lee-filming-in-chicago-chiraq-column.html
TSR Staff: Debra Oh!! @The_Ebony_Issue on IG and @TSR_Ebony_Issue on Twitter!!
