Why Did Chiraq Ignore Sexual Violence? | A Review & Argument With Spike Lee
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- Опубликовано: 26 окт 2024
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Chiraq and the 'Sex-Strike' Myth
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Spike Lee is an artist that's sensitive about his sh**. Obviously. But he can't expect to grow artistically without criticism. That movie was really, really bad. The actors weren't bad, it was the story line and the weird scenes. I'd rather it had been a documentary than this.
#truf. he handled this poorly and in an age where folks are making movies with iphones he should be more open to critics
+Ms Rosie lol love your ATL reference.
+Ms Rosie
Sam Jackson kills me, that he can be friends with both Tarantino and Lee. Because he pulls no punches.
On Spike vs. Django:
"I can't talk to him about something he hasn't seen. I probably won't have a conversation with him about it, unless he brings it up. I won't bring it up. 'Hey why didn't you see my movie?' I don't care if he sees it or not... This is a good film. And Spike hasn't made one of those in a few years." - Sam Jackson, friend to Spike Lee
I'd like to point out a major premise of not only this film but of society in general.
The sex scenes involving Nick Cannon's mother & the one envolving Nick Cannon's character are a direct _Set Up & PayOff_ promoting the duel messages that *_"Black Women create the nightmare that we're living in with their vaginas"_* And worst yet *_"Even while being raped, women are in control of society"_*
According to most patriarchal value structures, sex validates male existence. So it falls within reason that Spike Lee assumed that a sex strike could not only end all the violence in Chicago, but the persistence of campus rape as well.
Just like in *_School Days_* Spike Lee has demonstrated an eerie talent for stumbling clumsily into the heart of toxic masculinity & Not recognizing the harm it's doing to women.
Excuse me if I Mansplain...I'm sure you're already aware of the pernicious elements of the movie's theme.
BTW..Excellent review. I look forward to seeing more like it.
^ this :) well said
A SEX STRIKE MIGHT WORK???!?!
Really Spike Lee???
That is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard.
I'm from Chicago and the majority of my friends, before the movie has even been released, were very much worried that Chiraq would stir up more violence. Now I have not nor will I watch this film because of the way gun violence was portrayed, as you said, with a "comedic" spin to it. There is nothing funny about a 20 year old young woman or an eight year old boy having their lives ended by the cross-fire/gun violence in some Chicago neighborhoods.
I would just like to remind everyone that Chicago is an amazing city and the gun violence that you hear about has as much to do with the lack of funds and attention low-income neighborhoods are given as the lack of gun-control in the US among other things.
Thank you very much for this video Chesca!
A sex strike on college campuses may lessen sexual assault on campus, I cannot believe he said that! He is a douche - point blank
i felt like he did bring that into the film. there is some criticism on the character who he used, but he did address it. i saw it aa the sex strike was used as a catalysis for change. i left thinking about whay u can do with violence in my own community. we all have a role to play.
+Yessi E Thanks for your post. I didn't have any intention of seeing the film as a Chicagoan myself. I don't think it would mean anything to me. Being from Chicago, I don't think making light of both violence/ gun violence and sex is not something I could draw pleasure from in satire. I am also a person from Chicago who is woke on the issues there. Many people, included many many Chicagoans believe in the sensationalist media depictions of Chicago. We're not the most dangerous place in the country especially per capita. Chicago murder rate is going down. In fact it was twice as high in the 90s, when I was growing up there. It is a city with millions of people and when compared to similarly populated cities its crime rate is normal. Not that we don't want no crime and no gun violence. People need to read their crime statistics and stop buying into whatever they say on tv. New York City's stats are basically the same.
Like you said, Chicago IS an amazing city and it is up to Chicagoans like you and me to both help our city and change this narrative. thanks and thanks Chesca.
I don't know if anyone has commented it already, but the premise is based on a Greek play (Lysistrata, by Aristophanes):its a group of greek women that refuse to have sex with their husbands to stop them from fighting.
And Spike Lee based it on today's Chicago. I'm not saying i like the take on the film, the idea or the film in general, but that's what he got the idea from.
+tyk2be thank you, most people don,t know the play to be able to make the correlation.
I'm sorry you had such an underwhelming experience with Spike Lee. I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to see this film and I'm glad that I didn't. You know what they say: Never meet your heroes.
+JayAntoinette Do people actually say that? lol
But the overall premise is sooo true. You should never idolize someone because they could very well not be the person you thought you knew. Heck, you can hardly trust your own friends and family.
+JayAntoinette idols*
+JayAntoinette I'm definitely not wasting my money on it
+JayAntoinette Yea.."heroes'/Idols"... I've met Spike a few times, and he can be a little.. 'prickley'. That's just Spike. It is what it is...
I met Spike Lee at a film festival in my city last year where the first screening of "Da Blood of Jesus", an hour-long movie by him took place. Afterwards, much like your event, there was a talk-back/Q&A session and his attitude was quite the same. He kept dismissing questions about his movie and disregarded aspiring film makers' questions. One of the film students that was at the event asked what he recommends for low-budget filmmakers and he said "That is a lazy question. You're being lazy, people film movies on their phones now. Next question please." His attitude and "holier than thou" responses to people questioning his art (which is normal because art is always open to interpretation) proved how simple minded he is. He doesn't want people to search for meaning when it comes to his art because he himself does not understand it. Especially with a film like ChiRaq because he just made the film based on his perspective (a cishet male perspective that is) on the situation. Ignoring sexual violence was innate to him because it's something that doesn't matter to the vast majority of men (hence them often invalidating the experiences of sexually assaulted women). Basically what I'm trying to say is Spike Lee is pretty shallow and anyone thinking deeper than he did when he created the film is attacking him in his opinion. Then again I'm only 15 so this is probably just me making an immature remark lol
+Kendall Scott He has always been like that and arrogant SOB.
I don't know much (if anything) about Spike Lee. I do follow what you're saying though. I feel like he didn't address it, because he didn't think about it and/or he doesn't care.
+Kendall Scott You're 15? Wow. Not an immature remark at all - in fact, much more thoughtful and mature than most RUclips comments. Keep bein' you.
+Lindsay Campbell-Beaudoin Hey! Thanks, really appreciate that!
+Seriously, Megan Tyler Exactly!!
Damn! This video needs a standing ovation! Thanks for asking your question and just being you. :)
sorry this review is so long! I tried to edit it down but it was nearly impossible. I left SOOO much out. honestly, I could've talked for over an hour lol
+chescaleigh Hey, have you done something to your teeth?
+chescaleigh Please do not apologize for the the length of the video. Your point of view was well articulated. Thanks for posting, I am glad that I clicked on it and watched the entirety.
I like it. your critique regarding the scence w the keys was spot on. i also think lee's response is frustrating and it makes me think having just black folks in the room creating is not enough. we need diversity in age and a along the gender spectrum. plus we just need more directors of color to deflate this idea that bc you are the only one you are beyond reproach.
I was very much engaged the entire time, so the length is no problem. This is something that needs to be emphasized.
+chescaleigh No worries about the length. I appreciate your honesty on the movie. I may check it out at some point. Artists and film makers can be thin skinned about their work, but it's good that you challenged him and let him know that people who watch his movies are thinking people. They need to be heard. Keep doing what you're doing Chesca.
and captions have been ordered!
+chescaleigh captions are live! thanks for being patient!
Thank you so much for this!! You have to deal with so much BULLSHIT but you handled it with grace, with compassion, and with a badassery that can't be matched. Please don't apologize for the length, you got something to say girl and the world needs to hear it.
"Why don't you make your own movie." Is a stupid answer to a question about any movie. It's just not a good response. It not even an intelligent response to criticism. If you ask people to watch what you create, criticism is expected.
I had many problems with this movie. This was one of them. You're not alone on this one.
MrSolonmon No because it's not a good response. It doesn't even make sense. If I saw a painting I don't like and criticized it, the reply cannot be "why don't you make you're own painting. Having a critique does not make me a maker, it makes me a consumer or a critic. The person put their art out there to get a reaction. Film makers don't have sit-downs to go at each other's films. She never said she was a film maker, she was invited to watch the movie and asked to ask questions. Responding with "why don't you make your own movie" seem more childish and insecure. But over all it's a pretty dumb response.
+Umar Soaries It's a perfectly good answer to the why didn't you do this or that criticism. Everyone want him to do something different. That is not critique of the content.
thundavolt The content is nonsense. Black on black crime is NOT a thing. Or at least no more a thing than any other crimes done by any other race. I'm not saying it's not an issue, but crime over all is an issue everywhere. The idea that somehow black people are special with their crime is a racist/white supremacist dogma, and I'm tired of other black people focusing on it all the time. Therefore I am, in fact, criticizing the content of the movie. Spike Lee is not good with these types of movies. That's just a fact. He gets over because he's in the "First Negro" book, and that's it. He falls back on too many of the same tropes I would expect from white directors. The only time he did not do this, and had an extremely successful movie, was with Inside Man. Gee, think there was a hint on that one? The problems with the premise and execution of this movie could be in a book. Oh wait, it was in a book. It's called The Isis Papers by Francis Cress Welsing. Everything pointed out not to do, this movie does. So damn straight, he needs to do something else.
You have a problem with the term black on black crime that fine. The content and the symbolism went very far. A lot of it was in your face and I get why. He didn't want it to fly over people's heads, but apparently is wasn't in your face enough. You wanted him to make a movie pointing out how what people have a hand in this. He addressed it. If it wasn't enough for you MAKE YOUR OWN MOVIE. Oh you can't but you want to tell others how to do it. Shut the fuck up and sit the fuck down with the one book you read in your life that suddenly gives you all the answers to life.
thundavolt And that's the problem with being realistic about people like Spike Lee, and movies of this kind. Everyone sees the deeper meaning of the deeper meaning. The rationale for the shape of the golden snowflake. I see propaganda disguised as a story that does nothing but reinforce BS stereotype we as a people should know much better than to create or make excuses for. it's 2016, this nonsense has got to stop.
I really love how you called him out because today there are so many people who have the ability to add a more nuanced and critical message to their work and they just don't. Spike Lee actually came to my school to discuss his career and I missed the event, but heard that he was really rude and dismissive to a lot of people who were so excited to have him.
+Jazmin George Why does he agree to attend these events if he's not going to engage? That's my question
+abundanceoferica That is what turned me off off him when he came to speak at my University. He was very dismissive, rude and acted like he was doing us a favor. Mind you we paid for him to come to speak and this was back in 1997
+abundanceoferica I honestly think it's him being elitist. He thinks that others aren't worth his time, and I think if he's that unhappy in other people's presence, he needs to stop doing public events altogether.
Stamara2011 He should feel even more obliged to participate if he's being paid!
+abundanceoferica that's a really good question. whatever you do though, don't ask Spike Lee lol
You're #Goals, honestly. When you said India made a "sex-strike" cameo and sexual assault still wasn't mentioned, my brain glitched out. Seriously?
But what logic can you expect when old guys tell women what they should be doing with their lady-parts...
I'm from Chicago and we didn't appreciate him using the name Chiraq and not showing what happened here. The point is I know a lot of people who have died from this shit and to use the name Chiraq but not show the people of Chicago and the culture and what we do here is stupid.... And just so ya know lol Chiraq was a name given to us by a media person it's not something we made up.... Most Chicagoans didn't appreciate this movie you can't call it Chiraq without showing what goes on here
Wow.
You are my fav. RUclipsr now.
One of the best movie critic I've ever ssen (if not the best).
This is brilliant. Thank you.
aw thanks!
I can't say I'm surprised. Spike Lee is always on the defensive and can't take any criticism. However, that doesn't stop him from critiquing other people. It seems he has become bitter with time.
+Brown Girl Reading it's sad, especially considering he's a teacher at NYU. i heard he's like that with his students too ;(
I think he's bitter because he hasn't gotten the recognition he feels he deserves. I agree with you. It's sad.
I couldn't agree with you more, in the Stephen colbert interview it seemed as if he was saying women are the cause of rape and they need to do do something or else sexual violence will keep happening. sounds like victim blaming to me. it makes more sense for men to go on a sex strike.... also men that like to shut down women are obviously intimated by the intelligence of women. Spike Lee needs to be put his place. Thank you Chesca for posting this response!
+helenalexandraaaa I wish Colbert had challenged him on that comment ;(
Bravo!! This video is literal perfection. Thank you for being awesome and standing in your own truth.
I have decided not to see it... After watching this. That's really unfortunate that the movie skirts around the topic so badly. I don't want to be triggered watching the film... So I just won't. Thanks standing up like you did (and always do) and thanks for the video.
it us extremely disappointing he didnt address this, but i think he does look at gun violence from many angles. its may be worth a group watch on Amazon.
MrSolonmon yes he addresses it from 1 angle. That was the basis of the play. So i liked it i think he could of done more from the female perspective but i didnt make the movie. I like his perspective.
+officialmer
+MrSolonmon I don't get these BW. Everything has to be about them and their issues. I thought that for colored girlsaddress many of their issues. WTF? BM killing each other through gang and drug violence is a serious issue.
+Terietta M. Marshall So the movie for colored girls was not from the female perspective. I guess BM need to criticize the hell out ofthis movie.
Great commentary Chesca, you never disappoint! You look beautiful as always!
@chescaleigh, thank you...thank you so much for this. I am a survivor of child sexual abuse and I really appreciate that there are people out there like you that care and understand.
Holy crap! That was my EXACT reaction when I saw Spike Lee's interview on the Daily Show. Glad to know I wasn't the only one cringing at the patriarchy surrounding this film.
The fuck?! The patriarchy surrounding this film? Are you people listening to yourselves? Do you really think before you speak or write? I take it then you get no enjoyment watching films or shows directed, written or produced by men? You dont get any pleasure watching men act unless of course theyre in a dress, right? What the fuck does that even mean, really?! No one forced these people to act in this film, hell, the whole premise of the film is based on the fact that women have power, even if for the sake of the story it is in a very narrow sense.
+w jones I think you missed the whole point of his statement
Why do people wanna see violence like that in a movie? To prove it exists? Just seems kinda weird that folks would wanna see that
I would have watched a PART 2 through part 100 of your review. Thank you. You were courageous. Never apologize for courage.
aw thanks love. I almost made this 3 parts, but I'm glad people say through all 15 mins
you're one of my favourites, thanks for the reasoned and actually positive review. I wold love to see more of your reviews and critiques :)
I truly wanted to see it and support Spike Lee but I heard similar concerns to what you've expressed here and DAMN, your commentary is so well articulated and important. Wonder if Spike Lee will watch this? I hope he does.
IM SO HAPPY YOU MADE THIS.
literally am overjoyed that you touch upon important topics that most people decide to overlook, i tried watching the movie online and couldnt get through it because it bothered me so much. and im glad im not the only one that feels this way!!
That's a interesting perspective that I didn't even think about when I watched this movie a couple months back, so I appreciate your commentary
Keep holding people accountable for what they do and say! I love you please don't change, stay strong!
Thank you for your courage and strength chescaleigh, you inspire me to keep asking and questioning and fighting
As a South side Chicago resident that already sideeyed this movie...... I'm already here for the video because of the title.
Bravo to you for standing up and asking an valid and important question! I Mr. Lee should've got out of feelings and answered the question. Even if you disagree with his reason, his answer would've showed his thought process. He must be a nightmare as a professor at NYU.
Oh my, God... he's a professor, and still made that comment about women being responsible for stopping rape on campus??
Glad to hear your point of view, I'll watch this film someday with your comments in mind
Great review. I'm not surprised by Spike Lee's response. He notorious for being condescending.
When you brought up his quote from the interview I literally gasped. Then I was like yaas go off on him!!!
Same! I literally said NO NO NOOOOO out loud. That comment is ignorant as all hell
Great review! And I'm totally with you on that. You're absolutely my hero for always speaking out and never being afraid to be frank. :)
I am so glad to hear I wasn't the only one that felt this way. I thought the movie had *some* high points, but I totally agree that it felt rapey. Especially the scene where the men sneak into the armory. You hit the nail on the head with this!
So much love and respect for you Franchesca!
I'm in the UK so release will be ages yet and will mostly be in the bigger cities for sure. I'm a Spike fan, butttttttttt he has an issue with women issues, like most male directors. Loved your review.
This review was so thorough and accurate and it honestly made me love you and your work soooo much more. I had no plans on seeing this movie partially because I don't spend money in theatre and partially because I felt the title and plot of the movie disrespected the people of Chicago.
+Keyana Sade aw thanks that means a lot. i hadn't planned on seeing the film until i was invited to the screening, but hopefully the dialogue around the film will have positive results.
"...I think you didn't understand..." is a phrase that infuriates me. Kudos to you for not flipping out on those guys who tried to mansplain to you. Unfortunately, that's sort of thing is indicative of male privilege and male guilt. Keep fighting the good fight and continuing the necessary conversations about sexual violence.
Thank you so much for your videos Franchesca! Your comments really helped me put words to the discomfort I felt when watching Chiraq and I'm so inspired by how you brought these valid critiques to Spike Lee himself! I also want to thank you for your videos and all the ways you encourage us to think critically and decolonize our minds. I love how you are using RUclips and making these discussions accessible to young people who surely aren't getting this information in school. Wishing you well and sending a huge THANK YOU!!! Did you ever know that you're my hero?
As a woman who grew up on the Southside in "Chiraq" I'd never see this movie. I feel like it is glorifying the gun/gang/violent culture in Chicago. Is Spike Lee even from Chicago? Outsiders don't get to come in and make a movie about a life they have no experience with. Is this fool for real?
I've loved every single thing about this videoooooooooooooo
Thank you so much for all of this! I literally never comment on youtube videos but wanted to say that your courage and the energy you put forth in speaking out against patriarchal monoliths (ie; canonized black directors like Spike Lee) is so important! Thank you for the work that you do!
So powerful; more people should watch this video.
Really good video, Franchesca! Refreshing seeing you having so much emotion ^^ You're always so collected and proper on Decoded
Your passion in this is so so catching
About the movie, which I have not seen, I understood from watching the trailer that it was a modern adaptation of the 2,400-year old greek play called Lysistrata, and I guess that explains a lot of what makes that movie weird.
There is no notion of rape or sexual violence in the play either, because mostly the female characters want sex just as much as the male characters (which is kind of a refreshing view on the subject) and the sex strike is really a big, difficult sacrifice to make for them.
Now of course, that doesn't mean Spike Lee shouldn't have adressed the issue, but what I'm guessing from your review is that the stuff that feel weird, do because they come from the original play and don't fit quite well with this new interpretation fo the story. When you questioned him about it, he was certainly disturbed because having the original play in mind, he just had not thought about it in this light. Maybe he liked the ingenuity of the play where rape is never an issue and he wanted to preserve that.
Whatever it is, he should have been able to answer your question politely.
just watched it on amazon. first off, i'm a huge fan of both his and your work. so while there were many aspects to spike's film that i found incredible, your points are completely valid and absolutely necessary to move the larger cultural dialog of rape along. i am extremely glad that you were able to make them to spike lee directly. the conversation you're initiating is exactly what needs to happen. as a survivor of sexual assault i say "thank you thank you thank you"
@chescaleigh, hopefully this message reaches you well; I'd like to thank you for being a leader, to me. I don't know if you identify in this way, or take on this role, but to me you are a leader. Thank you for speaking out, representing, advocating for POC, queer folk, women folk, et al, I so so appreciate the hard work you do. Also your "goodbye wave" is the best
I never thought I would watch this whole video about a movie I'd never even heard of but then she was just so amazing at reviewing I couldn't stop.
+Fiona Blackmoore oh wow! how flattering! thanks! i was worried people wouldn't watch a 15 minute review (i try to keep my videos under 6 minutes) but glad people enjoyed it!
I can't believe Spike Lee really said a sex strike could work at preventing date rape and sexual assault on campus. Like you said taking away consensual sex does not mean rape/sexual assault would stop at all. It comes off as victim blame-y for sure. Like on some level survivors could have prevented/stopped their assault.
Loved your review of the film. And I can understand your question and his response to it. He was at my undergraduate school with a documentary years ago and had a similar response to a few of the questions. Love your honesty!
I never saw your commentary after I saw the film, but you 100% read my goddam mind. I just kept thinking, "Any fucking minute now, the great filmmaker Spike Lee will address the pure sexism and rape that IS all of the scenarios he is portraying."
It did not come.
So for your bravery in letting a famous person know that they can't get away with being condescending, and walking through life blind to other issues related to their issues-I salute you.
+chescaleigh So beautiful; I'm really glad you had the heart to address him. Somebody definitely needed to ask him that question. Love you!
Please do more reviews! I love your insight and honesty! You had a valid question, I wish would've been answered!
aw thanks! if I watch something really good I'll do another for sure
Spike Lee once heard Robin Quivers criticizing his movie on the Howard Stern show and called her up and screamed at her. He told her she should feel *obligated* to support him just because they were both black. The guy just has a bad attitude all around.
love this review! didn't notice any lighting problems👍👍👍
thanks love! I'm a nerd, the white balance is off at the end but I was able to tweak it a bit
+chescaleigh I definitely don't have an eye for that sort of thing but I follow you on snap chat so when you mentioned it I tried to see it but nope. You just look great.
deeniegurl aw thanks! i tend to be overly critical, trying to let that go
Lovely review! My only comment is in reference to how you said Spike blatantly spelled out the message of the movie versus being subtle about it. As a writer/artist myself, I personally battle between being straight forward and being subtle about the message i'm trying to share in my work.
My thing is, when it comes to certain subjects, I feel that being subtle is not appropriate. Mostly because I know the power of perception and I know how limited, warped, and biased many perceptions are. When it comes to things that I feel passionate about, I'm all for s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g it out for the audience, just in case someone wants to miss the point and twist their own foolishness into the message. I want MY message to be heard and i'll be obnoxious about it if I must, but so long as you get the point.
So yeah, I feel that Spikey did the right thing ( yup, I went there ) .. by literally making sure audiences KNEW his point by being so blunt and forthright about the message he's wanting to share. It's also apart of Spike's comedy style I gather to be so blunt and unsubtle. Mind you, I have not seen the film, so I am only basing my response here on your review and my desire to share my thoughts on being a Subtle story teller Vs a Forthright story teller.
Also, in regards to the sexual violence, I feel that Spike told this tale from his view point based on his own limited understanding. He clearly lacks an understanding of sexual violence, but I wouldn't fault him for that. His point of making this movie seems to be more so about bringing light and focus to Gang Violence and lack of peace and unity within the black community, Unfortunately he included the subject of Sexual Assault in a unrealistic way.
But yes, that's my 2 cents. ^_^
i liked the in your face explanation in the film.yes it was a little rough but i deem it necessary.
I agree.
I have seen the film. I am a born and raised Chicagoan who lived in these neighborhoods and has friends and relatives who still live there. While I understand your reasons for disliking the film (and Lee himself, who IS cocky by the way), I think you were looking for something that wasn't there. You have to understand the concept of satire, in addition to being a student of the stage to understand how this film operates. One of the finest examples of satire is Dr. Strangelove, which blows everything out of proportion in order to emphasize the absurdity of people who push for (and seem to delight in) creating war. Also, while the story was set in Englewood Chicago, the characters were generic - meaning any one of them could have been from any urban setting, not just Chicago itself. While sexual violence was a part of this story, it wasn't the main emphasis, nor was this film supposed to necessarily depict a "literal" version of Chicago, which is why so many Chicagoans don't like it. For every film like Chi-raq we have 15 versions that try the documentary-style of telling a story and go unnoticed. The goal was to show the skeleton of the gun violence issue, not the meat of it, so we can understand its source and how to potentially combat the problem. While I respect your opinion (and agree that this issue is multi-layered), I think you went into this looking at it from your perspective when the issue of gun violence is clearly universal. And whether you believe this or not, the fact that we are discussing this is a good thing because it's raising awareness. If nothing else, that's definitely a positive. By the way - being from Chicago's South Side, I don't like the name "Chi-raq" either and was VERY critical before seeing the film. However, I walked into the theater with no expectations and was open to learning the message. I got more than I bargained for.
This is the most adult response I have read pertaining to this film. Few seem to understand satire and few seem to understand that as much as it is in ways a direct reference to Chicago, it attempts to explore the issue of gun violence and gang culture in cities the nation over. I think that given the fact people are much more sensitive they feel entitled to direct the vision of artists and that their feelings are more important than the artists creative scope. Someone said that to argue "Make your own film" is asinine but its not simply for the fact that people feel so "strongly" and disturbed by what this man did to make a movie. At the end of the day its a movie and if it bothers you that much then you should feel compelled to make your own more accurate versión of this issue you think is so important that only someone from Chicago could direct, write, produce and act in. Anyway, love your post.
I couldn't agree with you more... Excellent response.
Oh my goodness @chescaleigh! I completely agree! That movie left me with so many questions and that scene made me uncomfortable and confused. Thank you for using your platform to shed light on so many issues.
I didn't see the movie but I have watched/listened to several reviews. And people have mentioned the scene where the men are all together as a group talking about the sex strike. I think that would have been a good time for one of the MEN to have a monologue and discuss how rape would not be an option --- because real men would not want anything less than consensual sex. And address what rape is about -- having power over someone else and taking someone else's' power through violence (not about the sex itself). They could have dedicated the whole monologue to this issue and it would keep the rest of the storyline consistent and wouldn't need to be addressed again in the film. I understand wanting to keep the focus of the movie on gun violence but if the only means of addressing it involves sex...I do agree...rape and sexual violence should have been addressed in the film
I love this idea!!
soooo proud of you for fighting back! he also had a messed up "critique" of black lives matter that one of the co-founders alicia garza (one of three black women who founded the org) responded too, i would try looking it up when you have the chance :) thansk again Chesca, you are such a boss!
I love this video.. it wasn't that long.. I liked the fact that you asked that question.. Keep on shining..much love from Louisiana!!
I really appreciate this critique Franchesca!
I was yelling at the screen at one point, but of course you addressed my issue around the 13:00 mark. You rock Franchesca, and I appreciate that you unashamedly stand up for what you believe in. We are all made better by it.
+KurlyMommy G aw you flatter me! thank you!
I appreciate the fact that Spike Lee kept the black children who have died as a result of the violence in Chicago at the forefront of the movie. I'm from the southside of Chicago and that point was most important to me.
+colstonlchinese he even included some mothers from Chicago in the film at the end which was cool
Love you so much for this. My friend was looking forward to watching this. I am absolutely NOT going to see it now. Keep doing you and good luck with all your current and future projects :D
Thanks for posting this! I was thinking about seeing this film but am not hesitating if I still should or not. The blatant ignoring or joking about sexual violence in a movie that acknowledges both sex and violence separately does strike me as very odd. If Spike Lee had actually answered your question, I could maybe overlook that.
On a completely different note, have a Happy New Year!
I too am a survivor of sexual assault and had I not known about the Nick Cannon scene and everything else you mentioned it would not have gone well as that content doesnt put me in a good place. Your insight is always so deep and thorough but has a personal touch and it's really comforting!!
He could have said something like "yeah the movie doesn't address it because I didn't know how" like that's all it took.
I actually would've respected the hell out of that kind of honest answer
I've been waiting for this! Thank you.
I feel like the film showed a different view of what "rape culture". Nick's character hears his mother being assaulted (in his mind), but she indirectly teaches him that she (women) wanted/liked/enjoyed it & that is what sex is supposed to sound like: Pleasure for a man, demands from a man, pain & screaming for a woman. Therefore when he has "sex" he applies the same amount of force to get the same results that he heard/saw as a child. I believe there are women who think this is what "sex" is and don't see the violation.
This review game so much! You should review stuff more often. You've got a good critical eye.
+AboutTommie thanks!
i am so inspired by you. thank you for pressing that question and making sure to show that it is so relevant and important. people obviously have a misunderstanding and lack of empathy when it comes to sexual violence....
Yes, thank you for addressing this because I thought I was the only one noticing how flawed this sex strike argument is. The whole time when I was watching this movie, I kept thinking, when are they going to address the possibility of rape? I just felt very uncomfortable throughout the movie. If he didn't want to address the topic of rape in a movie about women saying NO to sex, then it doesn't make much sense to have the premise of your movie on it. It's misleading and distracting from the very reason he claimed to make the movie for.
Watching this and seeing your actual real life response and tone of "oh my fucking god why am I having to explain this" is literally me all the time talking to people about anything to do with social issues. I love that you decided to post this as is because it's so fucking real and I'm so bored of seeing people be nice about stupid and shitty opinions and when they get similar reactions they turn into the tone police. I can't even put it into articulate words how much I love you as a person and how much you've taught me over the space of a few years.
+Schmikes8D i'm getting all the feels from these comments! thank you! i really need to do a video about tone policing. it's so frustrating how people try to control how others express their emotions. c'mon now! thanks for the support and kind words, i consider myself lucky to have an audience that keeps me honest and learning
I only just saw this vid today so I'm pretty late to the party here....but you're so not alone on this. I cringed during all the moments you mentioned and wanted to rip my dreads from my skull as I overheard clueless conversations leaving the theatre. Thank you for taking a stand. I'm a mental health and substance abuse counselor (born and raised in Chicago in the 60's, 70's and 80's during some pretty turbulent times) and I've been having some interesting conversations with female and male clients about this film (BTW -- each of the guys has promised to never fall into "mansplaining" anything to me ever again). It's sad because the majority of my clients are folks of color and they feel bad about giving a negative critique to a film by Lee, but after they watched this vid they felt much more justified and empowered. Wish I'd waited til it came on Amazon Prime.
Thank you sooooo much for making this video. This is so important!
What an end to the year! You are an absolute hero
Spike Lee is not opening room for dialogue, he's on trial essentially because I think he blanketed this huge issue which some people face every day. I love your review. There was a podcast on here called double toasted that said essentially the same thing.
"The job of a movie like this one is to stimulate arguments and hook itself into the viewer's imagination, and "Chi-Raq" accomplishes that job brilliantly." - www.rogerebert.com/reviews/chi-raq-2015.
Thankyou for this! I was thinking the same thing since I first heard about the concept of this movie. And you expressed my disappointment with it way better then I ever could. I am so glad that someone is speaking up about this. And that you asked Spike Lee about it directly. Too bad he didn't answer the question, but at lest you tried.
We need more people that don't think in black and white making movies. I just can't even believe Spike Lee would think women not consenting would prevent rape. WTF???? I am glad you made this video. The Twitter controversy was confusing, and this was very clear. I think people who go unquestioned become too consumed in their own brains. It's always good to be challenged, and it's good to objectively take a look at the challenges and consider those that are of substance.
Not consenting to sex...will stop people from non-consentually doing it (or harassing others to get it) anyways?
As in setting more boundaries (I hate to use this word in this way because it conjures up sexist images, but its the only one that seems to fit) for people who ALREADY DON'T RESPECT BOUNDARIES will work???
Holy shit, my respect for him just took a fucking nose dive. What a dumb fucking thing to say.
I'm like you chescaleigh- How in the ACTUAL HELL can he come to that conclusion? What kind of DoubleThink nonsense is that?
I cant.
More reviews !!!!!! Love your insight
+xander Iam thanks for the encouragement!
I love Spike Lee and I thought this was an incredibly fair and well-constructed review of the movie. I had a lot of problems with it, namely those that you mentioned. Thank you for this review.
This was awesome. You are awesome. You had every reason to be upset at Spike's bullshit non-response. ON POINT. A+
Yess Chesca, you were totally right to address the issue!!
+chescaleigh I agree with you especially with the "we going to take back what's ours quote", a simply reply with "my body is not your property" would've suffice. I haven't seen it yet, and honestly don't know if I will. Spike Lee came to my campus to talk in 2012/2013 and he definitely had this aura of 'don't you know who I am' or 'how dare you question me' even then. He constantly cut off people's questions, and had an attitude with people who had legitimate questions. But was totally fine with the one who just wanted to kiss his ass. Being a fan of his i didn't get time to ask a question during the signing he had afterwards. I was nervous and admittedly didn't know much about film so maybe I came across as naive or not serious. But when I asked him he just scoffed and shook his head and didn't answer my question. In return he just ME questions in a defensive tone. I left feeling like I tried to ask to a question as an aspiring filmmaker and that's the tone you used. And had an attitude instead of talking the time to actually talk and explain the industry.
The point about Chiraq is about gun violence in Chicago. It showed that since the main character dates the main reason of the gun violence, she can do something about it
A lot of women mean "yes" when they say "no" so I believe it got some men confused they don't know what to do. Many women also have this fetish of being in a "rape" situation as well. However, I truly believe kids and a lot of adults should get more educated on body language.
I want to spread love on you because I'm a big lurker on RUclips and I usually only comment to debate stuff I don't agree with and... so... I don't think I've ever commented one of your videos. As I'm a white French woman your videos teach me a lot about race issues and US culture from and african-american point of view and I just love it, although one of your most important videos for me was the one about how to say sorry, which is just universal.
You're so bright, and so very (very, very) beautiful, KEEP BEING AWESOME and sorry for the off-topic.
Thank you for this review. I briefly considered seeing Chiraq in theaters. I am glad I didn't now. You should definitely consider doing more movie reviews!
I was walking in NYC once and some guy walked into me (see: basically pushed me really hard). Caught a glimpse of the guy and it was Spike Lee.
He's so aggressive and unnecessary and thinks he's untouchable.
good for you for discussing this.
I know I'm late to the party but sexual assault is so rampant in the black community and it's always swept under the rug, so it's expected that it wouldn't be addressed in a film that supposedly brings attention to black issues. We have to have more conversations about sexual assault
Agreed. Although I do like Spike Lee's work and even though I know the film "wasn't about that", I have a hard time understanding how a film about sex and violence didn't take advantage of revealing how the two could intersect, especially in a hostile environment. But then again, maybe people would've been even more upset. I even came across a comment that stated that people who do address and discuss sexual assault are "untrustworthy traitors to the black community". Wow... Believe it or not, people respond quite aggressively defensive to that discussion, so I kinda doubt it'll happen any time soon.
+morgan carroll After a while, I figured that the film doesn't aim to cover black issues across the board. So I'm not entirely convinced that it ignored sexual violence out of an intentional dismissal of it. And also considering the genre of the film, I suspect that including rape would've been way too heavy an issue for a satire. As a satirical film, I think maybe they wanted to keep things a little lighter than a drama/documentary film would've been. At least he made the movie. I mean, he might not have hit the nail on the head with this one, but at least he covered an important topic. Idk, I'm kinda torn on it.. :/
I am so thankful that you are on the internet.
+Kellie Spano aw! i'm thankful you're here too!
Thank you so much for the review! I will not be seeing the movie and as a survivor I find that it is best that I don't support ignorance. It disgusts me. The concept that male women's power lies in our vaginas is an insult dressed up as a compliment. Entertaining the idea that withholding sex and forgoing our sexual desires to stop violence almost promotes the idea that our bodies and here to serve. I dislike the whole idea that the accountability is placed on women and not the different subsystems that created the environment in Chicago. I loved your review!
Thank you for talking about this, i was so intrigued after seeing u talk about it on twitter and snap. I will probably still try to watch it just because i am interested. It was really fucked up for Spike Lee not to just answer the question, to make that comment about a strike on campus stopping rape, and not not even address it in the movie.
I agree with you. You don't need to show rape to acknowledge that it happens or that it is a threat. After all the Jessica Jones show managed just fine on tackling the issue of rape without having to show us such a disturbing scene.
Good example. I guess it helps to actually care about a subject, in order to acknowledge it on screen. Lee's comment about college campuses shows he is absolutely ignorant about rape.
+SonNeko I keep hearing how great Jessica Jones is, I need to get my shit together and check it out already
+SonNeko I keep hearing how great Jessica Jones is, I need to get my shit together and check it out already
+chescaleigh I did binge watch it in one day.