Spike Lee

“People of color have a constant frustration of not being represented, or being misrepresented, and these images go around the world.”

“'25th Hour,' like a lot of my films, takes place in New York City. I've been very fortunate to make films in the city that I live. I mean, it's great going home at night instead of being on...”

“I am a hybrid. I do independent films and also do Hollywood films - I love them both.”

“It comes down to this: black people were stripped of our identities when we were brought here, and it's been a quest since then to define who we are.”

“I had a great education. From kindergarten to John Dewey High School in Coney Island, I am public-school educated.”

“I knew I was never going to play professional sport, but I loved playing and I went to all the games I could afford to.”

“If we became students of Malcolm X, we would not have young black men out there killing each other like they're killing each other now. Young black men would not be impregnating young black...”

“I think the best actors in the world are here in New York City. And this city is just so vibrant the energy is just phenomenal. Great crews here. All the technicians, all the artists that wo...”

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

“I'm very careful about how I portray violence in my films. I do believe that violence, especially violent video games, are not a good thing for young kids.”

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

“I am very fortunate I can send my kids to private school, but everybody does not have the money. If you cannot get your kid in a good school today, your kids are going to be behind the eight...”

“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.”

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

“You have to do the research. If you don't know about something, then you ask the right people who do.”

“Don't think that because you haven't heard from me for a while that I went to sleep. I am still here, like a spirit roaming the night. Thirsty, hungry, seldom stopping to rest.”

“And one thing Hollywood does well is sequels.”

“I've been blessed with the opportunity to express the views of black people who otherwise don't have access to power and the media. I have to take advantage of that while I'm still bankable.”

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