Research Paper On Spike Lee

Perhaps arguably one of the most influential and controversial directors in American Cinema History, Spike Lee's filmography has become woven into the fabric of urban cinema. Like fellow directors such as Martin Scorsese and sometimes rival Quentin Tarantino, Lee's unique style of cinematography has both transcended and placed emphasis on appreciation for his respective cultural aesthetic. Many urban directors can attest that their respective styles in film and even music videos all come from or are inspired by Spike Lee. Aside from his ever creative filmography, it can be said that Lee's personal perspective shines most in his documentary work. Known generally to be outspoken, Lee's documentary work has historically touched on socio-political

In addition to Lee's work with Mike Tyson, there is Basketball player Kobe Bryant's 2009 "Doin' Work" film. Mostly narrated by Bryant himself, the film invited viewers to witness Kobe's feelings, thoughts, relationships, and perspective on former opponents as well as his personal on court strategies. Featuring the likes of former teammates Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and coach Phil Jackson, the autobiography styled documentary generally revolves around Kobe's love of the game of basketball. However, it's his transparency and honesty that places much emphasis on his competitive nature. Although informative, Lee's documentary doesn't speak much about Bryant as a person, but more as an athlete. The real benefit when it comes to the documentary can be lesser known facts like Bryant's bilingual relationship with fellow teammates like Sasha Vujacic. In comparison to Lee's other work on icon athletes, his film work is consistent. Key attributes of a Spike Lee documentary include raw footage, unorthodox angles, black and white still shots, and consistent candid footage. This unique cinematography can also be seen in Spike Lee's now infamous documentary When The Levees

Originally airing on HBO in a two part special, the documentary's eyebrow-raising premise placed on emphasis on the socio-political controversy surrounding the US government's poor management of a natural disaster. Various testimonies from interviewees revealed a historically oppressed city that left almost two thousand people dead, thousands more displaced from their beloved homes, and billions of dollars in damages. Lee's directorial masterpiece captured stories of potential corruption within New Orleans, and the pain of multiple families torn apart by death and disaster. Years later Lee followed up with a second series about the after effects and reconstruction of the storied metropolis titled "If God Is Willing And Da Creek Don't Rise." Tidbits of information, like the government's secret initiative to completely demolish government assisted-living housing projects. These housing projects were still completely in tact after the storm, and gave the already socio-political documentary, a deeper undertone implying a hidden agenda. Lee's political stance is always implied in his deeper documentaries about historical events. This can also be witnessed in his older work 4 Little Girls, a Spike Lee directed documentary about four black young girls murdered in 1963 by a racially charged church bombing