Spike Lee: Finding the Story and Forcing the Issue (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780313392269)

Spike Lee's journey from guerrilla filmmaker to Hollywood insider is explored in light of his personal background, the cultural influence of his films, and the extensive scholarship his movies have inspired.

This insightful study probes the iconic filmmaker's career as a director and shaper of American culture. It not only sheds light on the ways in which Lee's background, influences, and outlook affect his films but also discusses how he participates in, transforms, and transcends the tradition of black American filmmaking.

Each chapter offers a critical assessment of at least one, and sometimes multiple, Lee films, examining their production history; their place in Lee's filmography; and their aesthetic, cultural, and historical significance. Readers will come away from this first scholarly assessment of Lee's career and work with a better understanding of his penchant for stirring up controversy about significant social, political, and artistic issues as well as his role as an American artist who provokes his audiences as much as he pacifies them.

Author: Jason P. Vest
ISBN-10: 0313392269
ISBN-13: 9780313392269
Publisher: Praeger
Language: English
Published: 09/30/2014
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.74lbs
Size: 9.50h x 6.51w x 1.12d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 03/01/2015 pg. 1154