Spike Lee says drama spotlights blacks' forgotten WWII role
AFP
CANNES, France (AFP) — Filmmaker Spike Lee, unveiling the first outtakes of his new drama "Miracle at St. Anna", said Monday it would show the forgotten contribution of African-American soldiers in World War II.
Lee said in an interview on the sidelines of the Cannes film festival that the idea for the "epic" feature, due for US release in October, was born when he read the 2002 novel of the same name by James McBride.
The film follows four members of the 92nd "Buffalo Soldier" Infantry Division of the US Army who become trapped behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Italy in 1944 when one of the troops tries to rescue a local boy.
Its dramatic climax is the Sant'Anna di Stazzema massacre perpetrated by the Germans in retaliation for troop losses at the hands of Italian partisans.
Scenes in contemporary New York are woven in, as the ageing veterans continue to struggle to come to terms with those bloody months in Europe.
Introducing an eight-minute preview of his film, Lee jokingly called the picture "David Lean in Italy" -- referring to the Academy Award-winning British dictator who made "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai".
Lee said the historical drama marked a departure from his best-known work, racially-charged dramatic comedies such as "Do The Right Thing" and "Jungle Fever".
"I've always wanted to do a World War II film highlighting the contribution that African-Americans made. One million black men and women participated in World War II," he told AFP.
"I also wanted to shoot a film in Italy and James McBride's great novel provided me with the material to make this happen."
Lee, who produces many of his own screenplays, left the writing this time to McBride. He said the film stood apart from the glut of World War II dramas made over the last two decades such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers".
"Steven Spielberg's a great filmmaker. I've always respected his work but this is totally different," he said.
"This is a very unique, epic, powerful, powerful film."
Lee said another novelty of the project was shooting several scenes entirely in Italian and German.
"I like to have my stuff authentic," he said.
"I don't want to do a film where Nazis are speaking perfect English. I don't do that."
The New York-based filmmaker said he had little trouble with the transition to working in Europe.
"Language is not a barrier at all. Coming into it I thought it would be but it wasn't," he said.
"We had a top-notch Italian crew, it was wonderful. We shot in Tuscany for three months, another month in Rome at Cinecitta, so this is basically an Italian film."
"Miracle at St. Anna" is being distributed in the United States by Disney Touchstone. Lee said he has already sold the French and Italian rights and that talks were underway at Cannes for wider distribution.
The film stars Laz Alonso with perennial Lee favourite John Tuturro and German beauty Alexandra Maria Lara, a member of the 2008 Cannes jury, in supporting roles
15 comments:
I was moved to tears. This is the best I have seen so far in a war epic after "Saving Private Ryan". The African American Community needs it's due standing in American Society and Culture, which they help build by so many sacrifices. 5 stars and two thumbs up !!! A must see film of 2008 and years to come.
We need to pay homage to the innocent who perished at the hands of the aggressors and also the liberators who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.
Charles Perera.
Can you please elaborate on what Spike Lee did that is offensive. I don't understand what he did that is wrong. I don't know very much about the story either.
It is interesting that you deleted the comments that challenged your logic about this issue including my earlier comment. You even changed your original post to eliminate really questioonable statements.
Perhaps you just want to be offended but I do not get it. Why would Italians participate in this film if it is so offensive. In watching it I learned so much about what Italians went through during WWII, something few American films reveal. As a Catholic, I cried and prayed with the villagers.
Lee's use of Italian actors and their heroic roles is brilliant. He clearly portrays the beauty of the Italian people. Most American films show Italians as gangsters or simple peasants.
If there were no African Americans in the film would you be happier? Look into your heart and soul again my friend. Pray for all who died regardless of their skin color.
The fact that there were so few African Americans in combat was not because they were afraid but because racist rules would not allow it. Despite their treatment, these soldiers fought for other human beings.
I just watched Miracle at St. Anna and have decided to see it again. Brother Spike has produced an incredible movie both from the perspective of artistic film work as well as historical contribution to World War II by African Americans.
Keep up the great work that you do, Brother Spike! Everyone, tell your friends to see this movie! No, it's not hip-hop, laughing and singing and dancing and joking, but this is not the side that Brother Spike chose to depict. African American life -- worldwide -- is multi-dimensional.
I just watched Miracle at St. Anna and have decided to see it again. Brother Spike has produced an incredible movie both from the perspective of artistic film work as well as historical contribution to World War II by African Americans.
Keep up the great work that you do, Brother Spike! Everyone, tell your friends to see this movie! No, it's not hip-hop, laughing and singing and dancing and joking, but this is not the side that Brother Spike chose to depict. African American life -- worldwide -- is multi-dimensional.
"I am offended by the fact that he builds a "memorial" based on 4 black soldiers experience"... Please elaborate. You spoke of being offended by Spike Lee's rendition of the story. What about the original novel. Though not 100% identical, the two works were similar enough to be viewed as having the same point of view. This os truly a work of art...
I just read the book and want to see Lee's depiction of the novel. McBride's story led me to research WWII, the 92nd Infantry Division and the massacre at St. Anna. I was saddened by the racism (which I already knew...fighting in a war for a country that rejected them...and allowed the enemy POWs to eat before them...foolishness) endured by the brave African-American soldiers and the terrible atrocities suffered by the Italians. You learn so much about the world and humans--and the mercy of God--by reading historical fiction such as Miracle of St. Anna. It causes you to pause, look around at life and put things in perspective...and thank God (and yes, say a prayer).
speaking about prayer can someone name the prayer the soldiers said during the movie like the words from it
This movie brought me to tears. I had no idea of the bravery of African American men during WW II against the Germans. Spike did well in showing the non-racist feelings of most Italians against blacks and their willingness to fight the Germans even though they were outnumbered. Hitler will burn in hell for the many offences he committed against innocent people simply because they were different than the german/anglo saxton/white people he thought were the superior race.
God Almighty
The tree of life blossoms beside the shore of still waters.
The face of Christ is shining and it needs no candle, no light, Nor Sun.
There is no suffering in your Kingdom.
And we ask for your forgiveness merciful Father that we have not seen the light before this day.
For your light reigns forever.
It is a shining beacon that lights the path to your heavenly throne.
I may not be the man that you want me to be, O Lord.
I may not be the man that I should have been, O God.
But we are your people.
We ask you, Lord, to walk with us in our pain and our suffering as a nation of your children who glorify your name in victory.
Amen
all i see is people playing the race card, white this black that!! yes it does have alot of racism in it, thats history u cant change it!!
but this film was one of the better war movies i have seen in a long time. not becuz they were black but becuz they were excelent actors.
i think its a story that goes beyond black racism, in clearly shows not only blacks being put down but latinos italians everyone!!
so yes spike lee does make controversial movies, yes blacks were being treated like shit, but the big picture is that its history, its what happened u cant change it!! all u can do is watch it and appreciate how far we have come!!
What a tedious film. Lee's portrayal of the "racist" white command is way over the top. I'm sure there were racial tensions and abuses at that time but the virulent, redneck, white officer wasn't believable quite frankly. He wouldn't have lasted five minutes if he had behaved as he was portrayed in the film.
On the plus side it shed light on a little known atrocity of the Nazis.
As for the portrayal of black troops, there have been black troops serving honorably in the US military since the Civil War, I don't think anyone is questioning their commitment or bravery.
Incredibly cheezy ending.
It's a movie based on a novel! That means it's all made up to begin with. This might as well be sci-fi with alternate realities. As far as why Italian actors would participate, it's simple, actors are whores they don't care a pay day is a pay day.
If "Brother" Spike want to make a movie about contributions of African Americans in WWII why didn't he pick something real like the Tuskeegee Airmen?
Some real good acting, some real cheezy shots, way too long, great casting.
I can't beleive that in this day in the world people can be so ignorant, I think that this film was great. Spike Lee did enphasize the use of African American and Hispanic Americans as being wrong in this war because they were fighting for a country that didn't give them many rights. This film means alot to me because my grandfather who was an Hispanic American died in that war. So big ups to Spike Lee, keep doing the right thing!!!
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