Perhaps one of the most controversial filmmakers to emerge during the explosion of independent directors in the 1980s, Spike Lee single-handedly changed the way African-Americans were perceived in Hollywood films. Starting with “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), a stylish, ultra-low budget comedy that became an unexpected commercial success and planted him firmly on the map. Right out of the gate, Lee directed a series of films that dealt with the uneasy topic of race in his often brash, unapologetic style. His most widely known production, “Do the Right Thing” (1989), proclaimed with no
My interview with Spike Lee was far too rushed. I could have spent a few hours with the man behind 25th Hour, Inside Man, and Do The Right Thing. Sadly, a few moments in the hectic Vitamin Water House here at Sundance were all the…
Director Spike Lee's latest, Miracle at St. Anna, tackles the experiences of a group of America's black Buffalo Soldiers in Italy during World War II, and is partially inspired -- like the James McBride novel the movie is based…
Enrolled in New York University's Tisch School of the Arts
1980
Debuted thesis film, "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads" at Lincoln Center's New Directors New Films Festival; the first student film to be showcased in the festival
Founded the production company 40 Acres and A Mule Filmworks
1986
First feature film (directed, wrote, produced and starred), "She's Gotta Have It" (made for approximately $175,000 and shot in 12 days)
1987
First book published She's Gotta Have It: Inside Guerilla Filmmaking
