Nearly 30 years after Do the Right Thing announced a bold and vital new voice in American cinema, Spike Lee remains one of the more fascinating filmmakers working today. I say this for one simple reason- you never exactly know what you're going to get from a 21st century Spike Lee joint. Will it go completely unnoticed by critics and audiences and fade into relative obscurity like Old Boy or Da Sweet Blood of Jesus? Or will it touch a nerve and start a conversation, as was the case with Chi-Raq and 25th Hour? While Lee already released the acclaimed Pass Over as an Amazon Original earlier this year, his next project is shaping up to be his most commercial and hotly debated film in decades. BlacKkKlansman is the wild true story of Colorado cop Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan with the help of his partner (Adam Driver) in the 1970s. With a hugely successful Cannes premiere that just wrapped up (critics are over the moon), Jordan Peele on board as a producer, and a prime late summer berth from Focus Features, BlacKkKlansman has the potential to be a necessary conversation starter. Just in time for its Cannes debut, Focus has released the first trailer for the film- watch it below!
This is a spectacular trailer, and it looks like BlacKkKlansman will live up to the hype and then some. The reactions at tonight's Cannes premiere were nothing short of sensational, with many hailing this as another essential and complex masterpiece from Lee. This first look sells BlacKkKlansman as something of an absurd comic odyssey into the world of our nation's dumbest pack of racists, but I have no doubt that Lee has something much more devastating and chilling up his sleeve with this historical drama. After all, BlacKkKlansman can't be divorced from the modern social climate of 2018. One year ago, Klan members and Nazis marched in the streets of Charlottesville, clashing with counterprotesters, which led President Donald Trump to emphasize that there were "good people on both sides." So yeah, that's something a movie with this subject matter almost has to address, and the early buzz indicates that Lee tackles Charlottesville in a direct and shattering manner.
Beyond the social implications of BlacKkKlansman, this just looks like a damn good film. I'm excited to see John David Washington (son of Denzel Washington) in his first lead role, and the supporting cast, led by Adam Driver, Topher Grace, and Laura Harrier, looks terrific as well. Lemonade cinematographer Chayse Irvin is behind the camera, and the period setting seems to be a good fit for Lee's stylish sensibilities. Overall, in a summer certain to be driven by blockbusters and popcorn fare, BlacKkKlansman is one of the smaller movies that I simply have to see. And judging by the reactions, we could be talking about this one come Oscar season as well.
BlacKkKlansman debuts on August 10.
This is a spectacular trailer, and it looks like BlacKkKlansman will live up to the hype and then some. The reactions at tonight's Cannes premiere were nothing short of sensational, with many hailing this as another essential and complex masterpiece from Lee. This first look sells BlacKkKlansman as something of an absurd comic odyssey into the world of our nation's dumbest pack of racists, but I have no doubt that Lee has something much more devastating and chilling up his sleeve with this historical drama. After all, BlacKkKlansman can't be divorced from the modern social climate of 2018. One year ago, Klan members and Nazis marched in the streets of Charlottesville, clashing with counterprotesters, which led President Donald Trump to emphasize that there were "good people on both sides." So yeah, that's something a movie with this subject matter almost has to address, and the early buzz indicates that Lee tackles Charlottesville in a direct and shattering manner.
Beyond the social implications of BlacKkKlansman, this just looks like a damn good film. I'm excited to see John David Washington (son of Denzel Washington) in his first lead role, and the supporting cast, led by Adam Driver, Topher Grace, and Laura Harrier, looks terrific as well. Lemonade cinematographer Chayse Irvin is behind the camera, and the period setting seems to be a good fit for Lee's stylish sensibilities. Overall, in a summer certain to be driven by blockbusters and popcorn fare, BlacKkKlansman is one of the smaller movies that I simply have to see. And judging by the reactions, we could be talking about this one come Oscar season as well.
BlacKkKlansman debuts on August 10.
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