| |
“We are very excited to have Spike Lee as the Behind the
Lens Honoree for 2008,” said Frank Fountain, Chrysler Senior Vice
President - External Affairs and Public Policy (Auburn Hills). “Spike
Lee is synonymous with thoughtful and provocative filmmaking and
activism in Hollywood which has inspired a generation of filmmakers,
uplifted actors and expanded the field to include many more African
Americans in key roles behind the lens. He fully embodies the spirit
behind this award and Chrysler is delighted to celebrate his commitment
and passion.”
In recognition of Lee’s accomplishments, the Chrysler
Foundation will donate $25,000 to Lee’s alma mater, Morehouse College in
Atlanta. The donation will benefit the vision of the Morehouse College
School of Sports Journalism, a program created to expand the field of
sports journalism from the small percentage of African Americans
currently working in it today. The program, which began with seed money
donated by Lee, launched its first course offerings in January 2007. A
graduate of Morehouse, class of 1979, Lee is a third-generation
Morehouse graduate and now serves on the school’s Board of Trustees. To
date, his efforts have raised more than$1 million to benefit the
program.
“It is an honor to receive this award and to be
surrounded by so many whom have helped make this recognition possible,”
said Lee. “I’m thrilled to join the group of talented artists and
professionals who have previously received this award, all of whom are
friends, mentors and partners. And I want to thank Chrysler for doing
its part with this award to turn the spotlight on the men and women who
create and shape the images that influence us every day.”
Lee’s film career began at New York University’s
prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, where he drew critical attention
for his master’s thesis, the short film Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We
Cut Heads. He went on to write, produce, direct and edit his first
feature film, She’s Gotta Have It, which earned him the Prix de Jeunesse
Award at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival, the Independent Spirit Award for
Best First Feature and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association New
Generation Award. Since that time, Lee has directed 20 more feature
films and feature-length documentaries including Jungle Fever, Malcolm
X, Inside Man, 4 Little Girls and When the Levees Broke, all under the
banner of his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. His
prodigious talent includes commercials, directing numerous television
spots including an acclaimed series of Nike ads featuring Michael Jordan
and dozens of music videos for recording artists as diverse as Miles
Davis, Public Enemy, Bruce Hornsby and Prince.
The consummate entrepreneur, Lee founded SpikeDDB in
1997, a minority-owned full-service advertising agency in partnership
with DDB Worldwide. SpikeDDB has created multi-level advertising
campaigns for Pepsi, Ambi Skincare and Mountain Dew, to name a few. 2008
will mark Lee’s Broadway debut when he directs a new production of
“Stalag 17,” the 1951 comedy-drama about American prisoners of war
written by two former POWs. Lee’s next feature film, “Miracle at St.
Anna,” starring Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso and Omar Benson
Miller, based on the bestselling author James McBride’s novel, will be
released in theatres Fall 2008.
Lee will be the sixth entertainment trailblazer
acknowledged by Chrysler. Previous honorees include pioneers such as
producer and composer Quincy Jones (The Color Purple), directors Gordon
Parks (Shaft), Melvin Van Peebles (Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song),
John Singleton (Boyz N the Hood), and Hollywood casting veteran and
producer Reuben Cannon (Madea’s Family Reunion).
The Behind the Lens Award was established in 2002 by
Chrysler to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals who
work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Since its
inception, the star-studded awards event has featured approximately 400
invited guests to share in the recognition and the accomplishments of
the honoree.
Award recipients are chosen by a selection committee
comprised of entertainment industry professionals and Chrysler
representatives.
|
|
