Spike Lee Quotes

A collection of quotes by Spike Lee.

Spike Lee is an acclaimed American filmmaker, actor, producer, and writer born on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia. Lee is known for producing films that explore complex social and political issues, particularly concerning race relations. He graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in film production and made his directorial debut in 1986 with the movie "She's Gotta Have It," which earned him critical acclaim and commercial success.

Throughout his career, Spike Lee has created a diverse range of films that have had a significant impact on American cinema. Some of his notable works include "Do the Right Thing" (1989), "Malcolm X" (1992), and "BlacKkKlansman" (2018), which won him his first Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Lee's films often focus on themes of race, violence, and identity, and he consistently portrays characters and stories that reflect the black experience in America.

Beyond his work in film, Spike Lee has also directed several music videos for artists such as Michael Jackson and Public Enemy. He is known for his distinct visual style, often incorporating vibrant colors, tracking shots, and unique camera angles.

Spike Lee's contributions to cinema go beyond film production; he has been an influential figure in advocating for diversity and equal representation within the industry. With his thought-provoking storytelling and determination to address pressing societal issues, Spike Lee has left an indelible mark on the world of filmmaking.

My grandmother lived to be 100 years old. Her grandmother wa

My grandmother lived to be 100 years old. Her grandmother was a slave, yet she was a college graduate in the Spellman class of 1917. She taught art for 50 years and she saved her Social Security checks for her children's education.

Education

I think my work shows that I love women. I understand where

I think my work shows that I love women. I understand where these types of criticisms are coming from because black people have been so dogged out in the media, they're just extra sensitive.

Work Love People Women Blackpeople

All directors are storytellers, so the motivation was to tel

All directors are storytellers, so the motivation was to tell the story I wanted to tell. That's what I love.

Love Motivation

I'd like to state that Spike Lee is not saying that African

I'd like to state that Spike Lee is not saying that African American culture is just for black people alone to enjoy and cherish. Culture is for everybody.

Alone

Any film I do is not going to change the way black women hav

Any film I do is not going to change the way black women have been portrayed, or black people have been portrayed, in cinema since the days of D.W. Griffith.

Change

We grew up in a very creative environment and were exposed t

We grew up in a very creative environment and were exposed to the arts at a very young age, so it's not a surprise that all of us are in some form of the arts.

Age

It has been my observation that parents kill more dreams tha

It has been my observation that parents kill more dreams than anybody.

Dreams

Right now a lot of people are still choosing to go to Toront

Right now a lot of people are still choosing to go to Toronto instead of shooting in New York City, something I haven't done and something I hope I'll never have to do.

Hope

Violence is a part of America. I don't want to single out ra

Violence is a part of America. I don't want to single out rap music. Let's be honest. America's the most violent country in the history of the world, that's just the way it is. We're all affected by it.

History

A lot of times you get credit for stuff in your movies you d

A lot of times you get credit for stuff in your movies you didn't intend to be there.

Movies

I had a great education. From kindergarten to John Dewey Hig

I had a great education. From kindergarten to John Dewey High School in Coney Island, I am public-school educated.

Education

If we became students of Malcolm X, we would not have young

If we became students of Malcolm X, we would not have young black men out there killing each other like they're killing each other now. Young black men would not be impregnating young black women at the rate going on now. We'd not have the drugs we have now, or the alcoholism.

Men

Racism is when you have laws set up, systematically put in a

Racism is when you have laws set up, systematically put in a way to keep people from advancing, to stop the advancement of a people. Black people have never had the power to enforce racism, and so this is something that white America is going to have to work out themselves. If they decide they want to stop it, curtail it, or to do the right thing... then it will be done, but not until then.

Racism

It is really important that young people find something that

It is really important that young people find something that they want to do and pursue it with passion. I'm very passionate about filmmaking. It's what I love to do.

Passion

You've really got to start hitting the books because it's no

You've really got to start hitting the books because it's no joke out here.

Reading

I don't think I'm a total pessimist, so I think you can find

I don't think I'm a total pessimist, so I think you can find hope in all my films.

Hope

Fight the power that be. Fight the power.

Fight the power that be. Fight the power.

Power