Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Filmmakers .. A Love Letter From Melissa to Spike Lee (Not)
In an open letter to Mr. Lee, Melissa Levine, a reporter at the Phoenix New Times vents out loud to readers her deep disappointment with the beloved, Brooklyn filmmaker. She feels he has dropped the ball and questions his continuing admittance in that rarified group of uber-director in American film and particularly ethnic films. She begins her critique citing "She Gotta Have It." She lauds the work as "feminist, electric and thoughtful" and then compares that to Mr. Lee's latest film "She Hate Me?" which according to Ms. Levine, is definitely none of the above:
"... This year's She Hate Me? Perhaps the angriest, most obnoxious movie
to pollute the screen ... (To Spike) ... You're blaming lesbians for the
unhappiness of the black man? Lesbians are the problem? It didn't help that
you have to portray them as scheming, manipulative and man-hating..."
I am a big fan of Mr. Lee, but noticed many of Ms. Levine's points are well, on point. I encourage you to read the article for yourself.
"... This year's She Hate Me? Perhaps the angriest, most obnoxious movie
to pollute the screen ... (To Spike) ... You're blaming lesbians for the
unhappiness of the black man? Lesbians are the problem? It didn't help that
you have to portray them as scheming, manipulative and man-hating..."
I am a big fan of Mr. Lee, but noticed many of Ms. Levine's points are well, on point. I encourage you to read the article for yourself.
