 Spike Lee: Plans to film Broadways' "Passing Strange"
Spike Lee, the famous director has undertaken the job of filming Tony Award-winning rock musical "Passing Strange" out of his desire of documenting the Broadway production "for generations and generations to see." Lee’s plan was revealed to the media on Wednesday.
More information about Spike Lee’s new endeavor has been highlighted by the reporters. It depicts a young black man who has left Los Angeles and went abroad in order to seek artistic freedom and identity. Writer and star, Stew, whose real name is Mark Stewart, describes the show as "autobiographical fiction."
Spike Lee has planned to film the matinee and evening shows on July 19, along with two additional performances in absence audiences so that cameras can have access to the stage. Without elaborating, Lee mentioned about his plan "to do some things that have not been tried."
While talking to the reporters in a news conference Spike Lee commented that "The story, the musicianship, the acting -- it was revelationary."
"For me musicians are the greatest artists on this earth because the talents they have come directly from God," added the director.
Stew, who loved to refer himself as a rock musician who has made a play, said that it was an honor to work with Spike Lee.
"I wanted to be a filmmaker for a couple of years of my life but I didn't do it because being in a band was easier," Stew said, laughing. "I like all the awards we got but getting the Spike award is huge." The comment was made by Stew.
However Spike Lee still is undecided about distribution plans for the film.
Lee was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay for "Do the Right Thing" in the year 1990. He also received Oscar nomination for best documentary for "4 Little Girls" in the year 1998.
Very recently Spike has received media hype for his scoff with veteran actor and director Clint Eastwood. In fact Lee has criticized his war films "Flags of our Fathers" and "Letters from Iwo Jima". According to Spike these films have failed to distinguish the role of African-American soldiers.
In defense Eastwood said that blacks were segregated in Second World War and warned Spike Lee to "study your history and stop mouthing off."
When Stew hatched a joke on Wednesday about Eastwood being given a role in "Passing Strange," Lee said that "Dirty Harry is kind of long in the tooth." |
News / Gossips by jckjos
