Since the announcement of Spike Lee’s latest film, Chiraq, it’s been engulfed in controversy over the title and accused of reinforcing the negative stereotypes of Black Chicago residents.
The gun violence in Chicago is a popular talking point for Republicans/conservatives and from what the public knows about the film, many people believe it reinforces those talking points and not the real Chicago.
Since Monday, the gun violence in the city has taken a turn for the worst with the shooting of 9-year- old Tyshawn Lee. The Chicago Sun-Times believes Lee is related to a gang member who may have been involved in a series of retaliatory killings. Also, Chicago based model Kaylyn Pryor, 20, was shot in the right armpit. She died from her wounds at a local hospital. Pryor was a model for an anti-violence campaign before being shot while visiting her grandparents. Both victims were caught in the cross fire of alleged gang activity.
Then the trailer for Spike Lee’s new film dropped yesterday, to the dismay of many Twitter users.
https://twitter.com/eveewing/status/661780697590337536
https://twitter.com/eveewing/status/661779872855883776
https://twitter.com/GinoMarleySSR/status/661745748581572608
I, myself is offended by the movie "Chiraq" 😑. It's based off how outsiders view "CHICAGO." Trying to portray a lifestyle you never been in💯
— kay (@Mvkayla_) November 4, 2015
https://twitter.com/hunter__tyson/status/661682747631644672
Mood at this Chiraq trailer:https://t.co/ICmW7amDUt
— Cowboy Carter 🤠 (@BCee___) November 3, 2015
JUST SAW THE CHIRAQ TRAILER ITS THE FUNNIEST MOST CRINGE WORTHY THING EVER WOULDNT BE SURPRISED IF THE MOVIE WAS FAKE AND TRAILER WAS A JOKE
— Alex Wiley (@Alex_Wiley) November 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/LilGucciErynn/status/661642521790054400
https://twitter.com/alexisjaya_/status/661694889734897664
While there was overwhelming outrage over the trailer, a few supporters expressed interest in the film’s premise.
So excited to be in @SpikeLee's new movie CHIRAQ! Check out the trailer! In theaters Dec 4! https://t.co/doMLIjHL5G pic.twitter.com/1Cdu8eayEL
— LA LA (@lala) November 3, 2015
I didn't quite understand the #Chiraq trailer. Is the storyline that the strip clubs closed, leading to a dramatic decrease in crime?
— deray (@deray) November 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/661673020117880832
https://twitter.com/theshrillest/status/661638820824088576
https://twitter.com/zblay/status/661649140997312512
The "Chi-raq" trailer. WOW. WOW. WOW. Film looks incredible. Love the Lysistrata inspiration. Come on @SpikeLee! https://t.co/WVZyYp2FN0
— Gerrick Kennedy (@GerrickKennedy) November 3, 2015
https://twitter.com/MatthewACherry/status/661644451769552896
The film is a adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes that is set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago. Chiraq stars Teyonah Parris, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, Anya Engel-Adams, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett and Nick Cannon among others.
In the large catalog of the director’s work, the film may be a return to form, even amid the controversy. Although Lee has had great success as of late with his award-winning documentaries, he hasn’t had a strictly narrative film hit since 2006’s Inside Man.
Chiraq will be in theaters Dec. 4.
