Spike Lee is an American movie director, producer, screenwriter and actor. He has been a massive supporter of Michael Jackson and helped make multiple films and music videos for the artist.
Born Shelton Jackson Lee, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American filmmaker, actor, and producer known for his bold and provocative storytelling, as well as his unapologetic exploration of race, politics, and social issues in contemporary America.
Lee developed an early interest in filmmaking while studying at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He later attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts in film production. It was during his time at NYU that Lee began to hone his distinctive style and voice as a filmmaker.
In 1986, Lee burst onto the scene with his feature film debut, "She's Gotta Have It," a groundbreaking romantic comedy that earned critical acclaim and established him as a rising talent in the industry. The film's success paved the way for Lee to explore a wide range of themes and genres in his subsequent work.
Throughout his career, Lee has become known for his fearless approach to storytelling, tackling controversial subjects such as racism, urban violence, and police brutality with intelligence, wit, and empathy. His films often challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about society while also celebrating the resilience and humanity of marginalized communities.
Some of Lee's most notable films include "Do the Right Thing" (1989), a searing portrait of racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood; "Malcolm X" (1992), a biographical epic starring Denzel Washington as the iconic civil rights leader; and "BlacKkKlansman" (2018), a satirical drama based on the true story of a black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan.
In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Lee is also a prolific producer, actor, and activist. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman" and an Honorary Academy Award for his contributions to cinema.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Lee has also been an outspoken advocate for social justice and racial equality. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as police violence, voter suppression, and economic inequality, earning him a reputation as one of Hollywood's most influential and socially conscious figures.
Working with Jackson[]
Michael Jackson and Spike Lee filming "They Don't Care About Us" (Brazil Version)
The King of Pop and Spike first worked together in 1996 on the music videos to "They Don't Care About Us" which Lee directed both of the clips for. After Michael's passing, the director helped create multiple posthumous films; Bad 25 documentary and Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall. Spike also made a music video for the posthumous single, "This Is It", although it isn't released on the @michaeljackson YouTube channel and is only available on michaeljackson.com.[1]
Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson[]
In 2010, Spike Lee was planning a now-cancelled film, called Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson. Samuel L. Jackson (who seems to have been involved in the movie) revealed, that its plot would revolve around "these folks who want to have a big concert in a Brooklyn park for Michael, and the new gentrified people that live in the neighborhood are worried about the kind of element that might be coming into the neighborhood”.[2]
Although the movie however never came to be, a year later in 2011, Lee organized a tribute event for the King of Pop under the same title. This event has has happened every year until 2020. That year, Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson had to take place through an online-livestream due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] During the livestream, the official Michael Jackson YouTube channel put out They Don't Care About Us (2020), directed by Spike Lee.[4]
The event took a break since then and wouldn't continue until August 26, 2023.[5]
Gallery[]
![Michael Jackson and Spike Lee filming "They Don't Care About Us" (Brazil Version) [1996]](/wiki/File:Spikeleemjtdcausetbrazil.jpeg "Spikeleemjtdcausetbrazil.jpeg (36 KB)")
![Michael Jackson and Spike Lee filming "They Don't Care About Us" (Prison Version) [1996]](/wiki/File:Brooklyn03.jpg "Brooklyn03.jpg (64 KB)")
References[]
- ↑ https://www.michaeljackson.com/video/tribute-michael-jackson-featuring-video/
- ↑ https://www.mjvibe.com/the-lost-spike-lee-movie-about-michael-jackson/
- ↑ https://www.michaeljackson.com/news/bk-loves-mj-virtual-block-party-august-29/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoEa9bzeTu0
- ↑ https://www.fortgreenepark.org/calendar/brooklyn-loves-michael-jackson-prince-party