Quotes by Spike Lee

About Spike Lee:

Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Making films has got to be one of the hardest endeavors known to humankind.

Spike Lee

People sometimes forget all the films that we've done. They remember the likes of 'Malcolm X' and 'Do the Right Thing.' But I've been working since 1986. From the beginning, I was determined to not just be a flash in the pan. I've got to keep up with...

Spike Lee

I live in New York City, the stories of my films take place in New York; I'm a New York filmmaker.

Spike Lee

I always give the example, if you turn on the radio today, black radio, Lenny Kravitz is not black. Bob Marley wasn't black: in the beginning, only white college stations played Bob Marley.

Spike Lee

I don't dictate, you don't dictate to Stevie Wonder, not successfully.

Spike Lee

I'm blessed, I can afford to send my children to private school.

Spike Lee

And one thing Hollywood does well is sequels.

Spike Lee

My cousin Malcolm Lee is also a filmmaker.

Spike Lee

I don't like acting; not in front of the camera.

Spike Lee

People think I'm this angry black man walking around in a constant state of rage.

Spike Lee

'She's Gotta Have It' was shot in twelve days and two six-day weeks.

Spike Lee

I didn't dream about being a director. I didn't know I wanted to do something with film until the summer between my sophomore and junior years at Morris College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Spike Lee

Amongst black people, you have always heard it said that once a black man reaches a certain level, especially if you are an entertainer, you get a white trophy woman. I didn't make that up.

Spike Lee

A spine to my films that's become more evident to me is that many are about the choices people make, and the reverberations of those choices. You go this way, or that way, and either way, there's going to be consequences.

Spike Lee

'Red Hook Summer' is another chapter in my chronicles of Brooklyn.

Spike Lee

'She's Gotta Have It' and 'School Daze,' I really didn't know what I was doing. And the biggest indicator of that was the acting. 'Do the Right Thing' was like the first film where I really felt comfortable working with actors.

Spike Lee

Parents kill more dreams than anybody.

Spike Lee

I don't get tripped up in technology. I use technology as a tool. 'Oldboy' we shot Two Pro 35mm. For 'Da Blood of Jesus,' we shot digitally. We shot the new Sony F55. It's a 4K camera.

Spike Lee

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

Spike Lee

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.

Spike Lee

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.

Spike Lee

Author Bio

  • NameSpike Lee
  • DescriptionAmerican film director, film producer, writer, and actor
  • BornMarch 20, 1957
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionFilm Director; Actor; Screenwriter; Film Producer
  • AwardsList Of Awards And Nominations Received By Spike Lee; Primetime Emmy Award; George Polk Award