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Chrysler’s Sixth Annual Behind The Lens Award: Spike Lee Honored
Perhaps no one has better epitomized the significance of Chrysler’s annual Behind the Lens award to date than its 2008 honoree, Spike Lee. Lee, who started his film career with the independently produced comedy “She’s Gotta Have It” in 1986, is recognized as one of the premier pioneers of African American filmmaking and is credited with helping to launch the careers of some of the most respected people in the industry today, both in front of and behind the camera.
His collective body of work, which spans more than two decades, is considered some of the most thought-provoking modern day film pieces on the Black experience as well as racial, cultural and social issues. Frank Fountain, Chrysler senior vice president, External Affairs and Public Policy, said Lee embodies the spirit behind Chrysler’s Behind the Lens award. “Spike Lee is synonymous with thoughtful and provocative filmmaking and activism in Hollywood which has inspired a generation of filmmakers, uplifted actors and expanded the field to include many more African Americans in key roles behind the lens,” said Fountain. “Spike Lee addresses issues that others have stayed away from and I think our society is richer because of that.”
Behind the Lens was established in 2002 by Chrysler to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals who work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Since its inception, the star-studded awards event has drawn some of the biggest names in Hollywood to share in the recognition and the accomplishments of the honoree. The sixth annual event honoring Lee, held March 26 at the Beverly Wilshire - Beverly Hills Hotel and emceed by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, was attended by a broad spectrum of notables in the film industry, including actor Laurence Fishburne, casting director Robi Reed, and costume designer Ruth Carter. Savion Glover and Patti Austin also performed.
Previous Behind the Lens honorees include producer and composer Quincy Jones, directors Gordon Parks, Melvin Van Peebles and John Singleton, and Hollywood casting veteran and producer Reuben Cannon. Lee said it is an honor to be recognized with such a significant group in the film industry. “I’m thrilled to join the group of talented artists and professionals who have previously received this award, all of whom are friends, mentors and partners,” said Lee. “I want to thank Chrysler for doing its part with this award to turn the spotlight on the men and women who help create and shape the images that influence us every day.”
Behind the Lens 2007 honoree Singleton said Lee has been a major influence on his career. “If it wasn’t for Spike a whole lot of people in this business wouldn’t be working,” said Singleton. Lee, born in Atlanta, began his film career at New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of Arts, where he drew critical acclaim for his master’s thesis, the short film “Joes’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads.” He went on to produce “She’s Gotta Have It,” which earned the Prix de Jeunesse Award at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival, the Independent Spirit award for Best First Feature and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association New Generation award, putting Lee at the forefront of the new wave of Black cinema. Lee’s second feature, “School Daze,” helped to launch the careers of several actors and actresses, including Laurence Fishburne. Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film and Best Director awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. His epic drama “Malcolm X,” starring Denzel Washington, received two Academy Award nominations.
All together, Lee has directed more than 20 feature films and feature-length documentaries, including “Jungle Fever,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Inside Man,” “4 Little Girls,” and the controversial “When the Levees Broke,” a documentary on the people stranded in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, all of which were done under the banner of his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Other Lee films such as “Girl 6,” “Get on the Bus,” “Bamboozled” and “Clockers” highlighted the depth of Lee’s ability to address a span of social, cultural and class issues. Lee, who has authored six books on the making of his films, received an Emmy Award for his piece on Georgetown’s John Thompson for HBO/Real Sports. Lee’s films also helped launch the careers of, among others, Halle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, John Turturro, Tisha Campbell, Wesley Snipes, Mos Def, Rosie Perez, Jasmine Guy and Giancarlo Esposito.
Laurence Fishburne, who starred with Lee in “School Daze,” praised the director for his creativity and belief in actors such as himself. “It has been impossible to mistake Spike Lee movies from any other movies on the planet,” said Fishburne. “Thank you for your passion and, more importantly, your love and turning it into art. Many of us are in your debt. Your touch is timeless and will motivate for generations to come.”
Casting director Robi Reed said Lee has been a major inspiration in her career. “I always like to give thanks to those who have inspired and pushed me,” said Reed, recalling when Lee first asked her to cast one of his movies. “(Spike) is a diamond in the ruff.”
Delroy Lindo, who had a major role in “Malcolm X,” said Lee always brings the best out of the people he works with. “He saw beyond the surface with me,” said Lindo. “He showed trust in me as a film actor.”
Actor Will Harper echoed Lindo’s sentiments: “I owe my career to Spike Lee. The first film that people ever saw me do was ‘Get on the Bus.’”
Film editor Barry Alexander Brown, who has also worked with Lee, spoke of the director’s ability to inspire those around him at the event, which included a $25,000 donation from Chrysler to Lee’s alma mater, Morehouse College. “Spike has given all of us the opportunity to rise above ourselves,” Brown told the audience.
Award winning costume designer Ruth Carter, who worked with Lee on numerous projects, spoke of his dedication to his work. “His ideas are all fresh and exciting. He is the first one on the set in the morning,” she said.
In addition to films, Lee’s work includes commercials, directing television spots including the popular series of Nike ads featuring Michael Jordan, and music videos for recording artists such as Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Bruce Hornsby and Prince. Chuck D from the political hip-hop group Public Enemy, whose song “Fight the Power” was a major theme in Lee’s film “Do The Right Thing,” said Lee’s influence has transcended film.
Jazz artist Terence Blanchard, a native of New Orleans, whose music has been featured in some of Lee’s films, probably put it best when he spoke of how Lee was inspired to do “When the Levees Broke” after traveling to New Orleans and seeing the effects of Hurricane Katrina. “When he sees injustice he goes after it,” said Blanchard, who is featured in the documentary walking his mother through her house which was ravished by the storm. “I’m a better human because I’ve watched how he deals with issues.”
This year, Lee makes his Broadway debut directing a new production of “Stalag 17,” the 1951 comedy-drama about American prisoners of war written by two former POWs. His most recent film, “Miracle at St. Anna,” chronicles the story of four African-American soldiers in the U.S. Army as part of the all-Black Buffalo Soldier Division, trapped behind enemy lines in Tuscany, Italy, during World War II. Fountain said movies such as “Miracle at St. Anna,” currently in post production, speak to the significance of Chrysler’s Behind the Lens award. “The movie features a number of up-and-coming actors that we will learn a lot more about because Spike is giving them a chance to demonstrate their talents in a way that they might not have were it not for Spike Lee behind the lens,” said Fountain. “That communicates to young people that there are opportunities and there is power in positions and roles behind the lens that can influence the direction of what happens in front of the lens.”
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