What can we learn from Spike Lee’s Bamboozled… | Little White Lies

What can we learn from Spike Lee’s Bamboozled today?

07 Dec 2015

Words by Little White Lies

A man in a blue shirt is holding a large black puppet that resembles an African-American boy. The puppet has exaggerated features such as large eyes and a broad smile. They are sitting in front of a bookshelf.
A man in a blue shirt is holding a large black puppet that resembles an African-American boy. The puppet has exaggerated features such as large eyes and a broad smile. They are sitting in front of a bookshelf.
Find out by joining the author of ​‘Facing Blackness’ for a special screening of the director’s 2000 film.

On Sunday 13 December regular LWLies contributor Ashley Clark will introduce a 35mm screening of Bamboozled Spike Lee’s scathing entertainment industry satire from 2000. Clark is the author of ​‘Facing Blackness: Media and Minstrelsy in Spike Lee’s Bamboozled’, a new book exploring the film’s impact and legacy, which is available to buy from ama​zon​.co​.uk

We asked Clark why he feels the film is still relevant 15 years on: ​“I think it’s a great and important film, certainly one of Lee’s best. How many other major American films have questioned Hollywood’s racist past, present, and (whisper it) future as fearlessly and aggressively? Very few, if any. When I first saw it aged 15, I didn’t know what to make of it, and defaulted to the prevailing critical view that it was an unfocused failure. And it sure it is messy. But, after having spent time unravelling its mysteries, I’m convinced that its so-called flaws – the raggedness of its form and content, Lee’s daring aesthetic choices, like filming on digital video – are what make it so brilliant.”

Get more Little White Lies

Bamboozled screens at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton at 4pm and tickets are available from pic​ture​hous​es​.com

You might like

Two men in conversation outdoors, one in beige puffer jacket holding white cup with red straw, other in red and blue jacket eating.
Review

Friendship review – The Wario to I Love You Man's Mario

by Hannah Strong

Tim Robinson attempts to befriend Paul Rudd in Andrew DeYoung’s offbeat comedy.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Woman with blonde hair holding cocktail and tablet device showing video call, with another woman visible on right holding drink.
Festivals

A report from the bleeding edge of non-fiction film

by Rafael Fonseca

We document the exhilarating comings and goings on the ground at London’s second Creative Nonfiction Film Weekend.
Coloured pencil portrait of woman with grey hat, pink collar, and white cardigan on wooden surface beside black, beige, and red pencils.
Interviews

Athina Rachel Tsangari: 'It’s about how easily the narcissism of artists can turn into a tool in the hands of power'

by David Jenkins

The industrious and passionate Greek filmmaker on her subtly apocalyptic new work, Harvest.
Smaller pool image with person sitting at edge superimposed over bright turquoise water with rippling light patterns.
Long Read

Long Hot Summer: The mythos of the pool on screen

by Eleanor Brady

From surreal odysseys to sexual awakenings, the swimming pool has long been depicted as a site of transformation, nostalgia and fluid identity.
Person in dark hat, blue top, and red fabric wrap standing in golden grassland with birds flying overhead against pale sky.
Review

Harvest review – remarkably compelling work

by Hannah Strong

Athina Rachel Tsangari’s solemn adaptation of Jim Crace’s historical novel concentrates on the changing face of a Scottish farming village as the agricultural revolution begins.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Man in light blue shirt and woman with curly red hair in dark top having conversation in front of bookshelf filled with books.
Review

The Other Way Around review – a new type of break-up movie

by David Jenkins

Jonás Trueba’s wry and articulate neo-screwball relationship comedy sees a couple organising a party for their impending break-up.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect