Spike Lee: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers)
Filmmaker Lee's focus on race has rather obscured the fact that in 15 years he has amassed a diverse body of work that encompasses small-scale dramas, ambitious biopics, documentaries, and concert films, not to mention commercials, music videos, and seven books. That variety is reflected in the 22 interviews in this volume. Race is at the forefront of most of the pieces, but Lee also touches on subjects ranging from cutting-edge digital-video technology to his beloved Knicks. The chronological presentation shows Lee mellowing somewhat over the years--he was only 29 when he burst on the scene withShe's Gotta Have It(1986)--but he remains outspoken and controversial; promoting his most recent film,Bamboozled,he blasts the demeaning roles contemporary black actors choose to portray. Lee possibly has the highest profile of any director today, thanks to his acting gigs, notably in Nike commercials reprising his Mars Blackmon character, and talk-show appearances (three of which are transcribed here). Libraries may see greater interest in this than in similar books on other filmmakers.Gordon FlaggCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.