Posted by Neil Juan Luis Pedro Philipo de Huevos at gatekeeper.aplnet.com on March 24, 1998 at 18:15:51:
In Reply to: Sorry Neil etc.! posted by B. Buster on March 24, 1998 at 17:15:01:
: : I thought that 'Four Little Girls' was more of a lock for Best Documentary than 'Titanic' was for Best Picture. I thought Spike would snatch the Oscar because of all his bitching and complaining aimed the Academy over the years. I pictured all these old Academy members giving Spike a token Oscar, in other words saying, "Here's your fucking Oscar. Now shut up already!
: The last time I checked, Neil, we still had freedom of speech in this country (what you call "bitching and complaining," I call "bustin' balls" or excercising his freedom of speech). We can all disagree with his views, but do we really want to shut him up (with an Oscar or otherwise)?
You are right. Spike can say anything he wants. If I were an Academy voter, I would judge what I see on the screen and nothing else. But I'm not a voter. I'd bet that the older and stodgy Academy members would be swayed by Spike stirring up a controversy about African Amerians and the Oscars. Do I think it's right? No. But I do think that's the way it is. Life is unfair. What can I tell you?
: : Granted, I didn't see it, but from what I've heard, it was totally deserving. Why did he lose? Because instead of the Academy voting on a quality documentary, they voted AGAINST a guy that does nothing but cause headaches. They were probably just plain sick and tired of his complaining. Do I blame the Academy? Not at all. While Spike might be a great filmmaker, usually comes off as an arrogant, whiny, anti-White (or at least so pro-black that it comes off as anti-White) prick.
: Is he a prick because he's execising his right to free speech (in your parlance, "does nothing but cause headaches")? Or is he a prick because you disagree with him? Think about it, Neil.
Again, you are confusing my personal opinion with my opinion on the subject at hand. I have no problem with what he's saying. Let him rant and rave until he's blue in the face for all I care. I am looking at this situation from the Academy's point of view. Understand this... I AM NOT SAYING THAT HE SHOULDN'T GET AN OSCAR BECAUSE HE TALKED SHIT ABOUT THE ACADEMY AND THE WAY THAT BLACKS ARE CONTINUALLY LOOKED OVER. I'm saying that I can see why his actions had the effect it did.
: : The thing is, it is totally stupid to cast a vote based on politics. It should only be about the film and nothing else. But you know what? It isn't. It just isn't. That said, I can understand why they didn't vote for his flick.
: And consequently, you can understand why Spike Lee continues to criticize Hollywood.
Absolutely. But consider Jim Jarmusch. He is about as opposite of Hollywood as you can get. He obviously does not dig the studio system and the way things work. But does he publicly complain? No. He just makes films that are true to his vision without external concern. Spike should stop worrying about getting his public accolades. Sure it must be hard for him because he must feel like he is getting the short end of the stick because he is black, but you know what? Ain't nothing gonna change that. So he should stop worrying about it and just make films. The color of his skin has never prevented him from making films in the past. That what it should be about... making films, and not getting recognition for the films that were made.
: : Giving it to a rabbi was such a slap in the face.
: What are you getting at here, Neil? Is there something you'd like to get off your chest? A little pent-up racism maybe?
No, I just think it's funny, is all. There is no racism here, my friend.
: : The guy really does need to settle down a bit. The whole "Quentin uses the word 'nigger' too often" thing was ludicrous. He should stop worrying about what everyone else does and concentrate on his own films.
: Again, he's just excercising his freedom of speech. Didn't Jewish groups criticize him for the depictions of Jews in "Mo' Better Blues?" And more power to them--that's what freedom of speech is all about. The fact is many blacks are offended by the use of the word "nigger" when it is used in a disparaging manner or when it is used by a lame idiot to establish how "politically incorrect" or "hip" and badass he can be (as is the case with Tarantino). Doesn't Spike Lee have a right to his views on the subject?
Not when it is Samuel L. Jackson who improvised most of the 'niggers' in the script. I don't see why Spike is complaining, even if Quentin wrote every word of it. The bottom line is this... we are talking about black hoods. I am not being racist in the slightest when I say that, more often than not, they use the word 'nigger' like it's going out of style. I'll walk down a NYC street and I'll hear it multiple times in a matter of minutes. Quentin was capturing a certain type of character that talks like that.
In any event, where did Spike go to complain? Variety-- that's where. This wasn't about Quentin. All he wanted was his name in the headlines. He is allowed to have views on the subject, but I honestly believe that he just wanted to get his name in the papers.
: : Compare Woody and Quentin. Woody almost never features black characters, and when he does they are usually of a 'seedy' element (i.e. hookers). So black folks complain that he should have more "normal" black characters. But Woody knows that he doesn't know shit about the black culture, so he sticks to what he knows.
: What are you saying here, Neil? That Woody Allen only knows what most whites know about blacks, that they're all drug addicts and hookers? I don't think that was what you meant to say, was it?
I meant to say that Woody knows how to write dialogue for white (more often Jewish) characters, because that is what he knows. If Woody tried to write a 'Boyz In the Hood', do you think he'd have the knack for dialogue that he has in his other films? I really don't think so. As an aspiring screenwriter, ever book that I've read on the subject always says that you are best off writing what you know. Woody doesn't know blacks. Quentin does. It has nothing to do with the color of their skin. It has to do with the environments that they were brought up in.
: Then Quentin comes around, and they say, "How dare you!! You are white, and you are making a movie about black folks that sounds like it was written by a black guy." It is a no-win situation. What would please Spike?
: I don't think that is what he's saying at all. I think he's just pointing out how phony Tarantino's attempts at "hipness" are.
It isn't hipness. It is a story about a certain type of culture. A culture that talks the way that Quentin wrote the screenplay.
: : So you know what Spike should do? Shut the hell up and continue making whatever films he wants to make. Keep on creating quality African-American roles and interesting films. If he stopped being such a damn nuisance, eventually he will be recognized by the powers that be.
: Maybe you should take your own advice, Neil. Settle down a bit. You don't even know Spike Lee afterall.
Here I will agree with you. I should settle down a bit. The guy just drives me nuts. Let's just say this and end it... if I were his publicist, the man would be playing the race card a whole lot differently than he is now.
Neil Juan Luis Pedro Philipo de Huevos