Canadian Film Centre hosts director Spike Lee for Black History Month

February marks Black History Month and the Canadian Film Centre will get the jump on things by hosting an event in Toronto with renowned filmmaker Spike Lee. He will have a conversation moderated by Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo at the Varsity Cinema. They will discuss his career and with particular focus on his use of music in his films.

The event will take place on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. Tickets are $20, with proceeds going to the CFC Diversity Scholarship.

Spike Lee is a controversial but undeniably gifted and important filmmaker. He is twice-nominated by the Academy Awards, receiving nods for Best Original Screenplay for Do the Right Thing and for Best Feature Documentary for 4 Little Girls. Many people (including myself) consider it a huge oversight that Do the Right Thing was not also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture.

Last year's event featured a discussion with directors Lee Daniels (Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire) and Norm Jewison (In the Heat of the Night, Fiddler on the Roof, Moonstruck), also moderated by Clement Virgo.
---

CFC Celebrates Black History Month With Special Guest - Acclaimed Filmmaker Spike Lee
January 10, 2011

In Conversation to be moderated by Clement Virgo

In celebration of Black History Month and presented by TD, CFC and Clement Virgo are pleased to host a special evening in conversation with acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee to discuss the role of music in his films.  A notable writer, director, producer, actor and author who revolutionized both the landscape of independent cinema and the role of black talent in film, Spike Lee is widely regarded as a premiere filmmaker and a forerunner in the ‘do it yourself' school of filmmaking. His films are often provocative socio-political critiques that challenge cultural assumptions, not only about race, but class and gender identity as well while incorporating a distinctive and powerful use of music. The evening will combine conversation and film clips to examine the use of music in Lee's films – from his musical collaborations with his father, Bill Lee, a jazz bassist, to Prince, Stevie Wonder and composer Terence Blanchard.

Who:  Acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee, (director, If God is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, Inside Man, Malcolm X, Do the Right Thing) will join Canadian award-winning filmmaker, Clement Virgo (Rude, Poor Boy's Game) for an intimate in conversation.

What: To commemorate Black History Month, CFC (Canadian Film Centre) will host a special in conversation with filmmaker Spike Lee.

When:  Tuesday, January 25th 2011
            6:45 p.m. - Photo op/media wall
            7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. – Discussion with Spike Lee, Clement Virgo

Where: Cineplex Odeon Varsity Theatre 8
            55 Bloor Street West, Toronto.
            7 - 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20.00 (all proceeds will go towards the CFC Diversity Scholarship). Tickets can be purchased at www.totix.ca or at the venue on the night of the event.