Widely regarded as a premiere African-American filmmaker, Spike Lee is a forerunner in the ‘do it yourself’ school of independent film. An avid sports enthusiast, Lee recently completed a one day 18 camera documentary shoot focusing on NBA standout Kobe Bryant. The unique piece, produced for ESPN, is entitled Kobe - Doin Work. Another current project Passing Strange – the critically acclaimed Broadway musical - follows the travels of a young African American musician in search of himself. Passing Strange debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. His most recent theatrical release is “Miracle at St Anna”. Set in 1944 it chronicles the story of four black American soldiers who are members of the US Army as part of the all-black 92nd "Buffalo Soldier" Division, trapped behind enemy lines in Tuscany, Italy during World War II.
This film comes on the heels of When the Levees Broke, a groundbreaking documentary focusing on the plight of Americans stranded in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Other critical and box office successes have included such films as Inside Man, 25th Hour, The Original Kings of Comedy, Bamboozled and Summer of Sam. Lee’s films Girl 6, Get On the Bus, Do the Right Thing and Clockers display his ability to showcase a series of outspoken and provocative socio-political critiques that challenge cultural assumptions, not only about race, but class and gender identity as well.
His debut film, the independently produced comedy She’s Gotta Have It, earned him the Prix de Jeunesse Award at the Cannes Film festival in 1986 and set him at the forefront of the Black New Wave in American Cinema. His second feature, the very profitable School Daze, helped to launch the careers of several young Black actors. Lee’s timely 1989 film, Do the Right Thing, garnered an Academy Award® nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film and Director awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. His epic drama “Malcolm X”, starring Denzel Washington, received two Academy Award® nominations.
In addition to his achievements in feature films, Spike Lee has produced and directed numerous music videos for such diverse artists as Miles Davis, Prince, Chaka Khan, Tracy Chapman, Anita Baker, Public Enemy, Bruce Hornsby and Michael Jackson.
Lee’s commercial work began in 1988 with his Nike Air Jordan campaign. Lee is also well-known for his Levi’s Button-Fly 501, AT&T, and ESPN television commercials. Other commercial ventures include TV spots for Philips, Nike, American Express, Pepsi, Jaguar and Taco Bell, just to name a few.
Lee is also diversely involved in documentaries, sports programs, and projects for cable and network television. His recent critically acclaimed documentary, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts is a huge success having received two Emmy Awards and awards from film festivals worldwide.
In 1991, Lee began teaching at Harvard University under the Department of Afro-American Studies. After teaching at Harvard, he was asked to teach at his alma mater, New York University. Since 2002, Lee has been Artistic Director of the Graduate Film Program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Ever moving into new areas, Spike Lee has combined his extensive creative experience into yet another venture: partnering with DDB Needham, he created Spike/DDB, a full-service advertising agency.
