If you happened to miss the brouhaha on Twitter this afternoon, Spike Lee released the trailer for his new movie Chi-Raq. The film will be a modern adaptation of the Greek comedy Lysistrata. Lee didn't give much away about the plot in his in-depth interview with Chicago magazine last month, but he did ask that people trust him regarding the tone of the film:
People need to relax. They need to stop thinking I’m gonna make light of the loss of life. Please. Calm down. Father Pfleger would have kicked me. He would have damned me to hell a long time ago. C’mon, that’s not who I am. Why would I do that?
The film will be released December 4, 2015, but based on the first footage, many prominent Chicagoans are wary of the final cut.
As a Chicagoan, the trailer feels wrong. Greek comedy, okay. But Nick Cannon yelling "Chiraq"? https://t.co/DqUl0A3WmQ
— Ferrari Sheppard (@stopbeingfamous) November 3, 2015
Urgent discussion of Chiraq losing out to urgent discussion of national sandwich day pic.twitter.com/UQdJcSJ2u8
— david drake (@somanyshrimp) November 3, 2015
No comment :open_mouth: https://t.co/9l27NqwUow
— LilReese300 (@LilReese300) November 3, 2015
It's not authentic we the real CHIRAQ lol https://t.co/yeATM5F0A6
— FREDO SANTANA SSR (@FREDOSANTANA300) November 3, 2015
The reason straight outta Compton sold like that cause it was real …..
— LIL DURK (@lildurk_) November 3, 2015
Dude Chicago needed a lot of things and hey, maybe this will be another School Daze but this trailer has put me off so hard #chiraqthemovie
— The Great Pumpkin. (@thewayoftheid) November 3, 2015
it may end up a positive that spike's vision of 'chiraq' emphasizes its unreality
— david drake (@somanyshrimp) November 3, 2015
The most visible/vocal supporter of this thing in Chicago is a white priest who vocally supported #RahmEmanuel for Mayor.
— Ida's Disciple (@prisonculture) November 3, 2015
of course i am going to see @SpikeLee's film #Chiraq what i'm immediately concerned with is the singular role it assigns women in culture
— Kevin Coval (@kevincoval) November 3, 2015
I'm not commenting on the trailer but I am amazed at the # of incredibly silly and incredibly smart comments on both "sides." Peak Internet.
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) November 3, 2015
There's a difference between failing at creating a new dimension in art and like literally putting out bullshit.
— Jasmine B. (@Oprah_Gucci) November 3, 2015
Nationally, though, people seemed a bit more optimistic about the movie.
chiraq trailer looks wack but if i was spike & saw who was criticizing my career & remembered i made malcolm x, i'd be like um, who is you?
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) November 3, 2015
I wanna actually see Chiraq before I pass judgment. Had I just seen a trailer for School Daze in 1988 I might've thought it was garbage too.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) November 3, 2015
Interesting. Well, let's see how this plays out. #Chiraq https://t.co/SjVHW1Y8t3
— deray mckesson (@deray) November 3, 2015
CHI-RAQ LOOKS GREAT https://t.co/UUKZ1Q5g4J
— Tyler Coates (@tylercoates) November 3, 2015
And at least one scene had some people around town smirking.
Oh hey @Suntimes, did we somehow miss this issue? #Chiraq pic.twitter.com/1gdzJPf0Bo
— Chicago Reader (@Chicago_Reader) November 3, 2015
What do you think? Are you going to see the movie? Tell us in the comments below.