Spike Lee's first feature film.
Budget: $175,000
Gross (worldwide): $7,100,000
The film was shot in only twelve days during the summer of 1985.
At the time, and sadly still to this day, Hollywood had a monolithic narrative about Black life in America, mostly focusing on crime and poverty.
Spike Lee, fresh out of NYU, had no desire to assimilate into the dominant culture.
Lee took a shoestring budget and created a cult classic that centered around a strong, independent black woman.
Remember, this was the mid-1980s during the devastating crack epidemic.
The film was a massive success for the upstart filmmaker but production was a struggle. Spike didn't have all of the money to complete post-production for the film.
During a rough cut at NYU, Lee addressed the audience:
"I'm Spike Lee and I hope that you liked the film," Lee said afterward. "I'll be calling you soon about becoming financially involved in helping us complete it."
He got the money and the rest is history.
A legendary career was born.
You know a “Spike Lee Joint” when you see it.
Not producing more of the same from the very beginning of his career set Spike Lee apart. It also helped him establish trust within the black community which Spike would build on throughout his career.
In the early 90s, he would leverage his earned trust when his film Malcolm X needed more money to finish production. When a completion bond company was prepping to take over the project, Spike leaned on a group of black celebs to invest in the project.
He garnered support from Oprah, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson, among many others. "As a result, the film will be my version. Not the bond company's version. Not Warner Brothers'" Spike Lee said at a press conference in 1992.
The film went on the earn two nominations at the 1993 Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Denzel Washington's remarkable performance.
Takeaway 1:
Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.
This is tough. Easier said than done.
Spike Lee’s early success stemmed from going against the Hollywood grain.
If you believe in your unique perspective, take the risk and share it. If you believe you don’t have to take a certain path.
Take the risk and share it.
You might just change the current meta.
Takeaway 2:
You never know when you'll need support.
Build trust every chance you get.
Trust is earned by being authentic, unique, consistent, and unapologetically you.
— DKH