You Can’t Handle the Truth: Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’ at 10

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In the last decade, Amazon hadn’t created a single movie of its own. Now, this massive entity controls the rights to the James Bond series. Given how far Amazon’s streaming service, Prime Video, has progressed into both film and TV production, it’s simple to overlook its humble beginnings. Interestingly, those early days saw Amazon producing a contemporary adaptation of an ancient Greek tragedy, a comedic satire, a serious critique on gun violence and urban crime in Chicago’s South Side, all while incorporating elements of musical theatre.

In an unexpected yet smooth manner, Spike Lee’s 2015 production titled “Chi-Raq” skillfully combines various genres. Starring heavyweights such as Nick Cannon and Wesley Snipes, the film deftly moves between uproarious humor and heartfelt empathy. Much like other Spike Lee productions, it doesn’t shy away from reminding viewers of the harsh reality that lies behind its critique. Primarily, “Chi-Raq” urges its audience not to abandon a part of America often considered hopeless by many Americans.

From Ancient Greece to the South Side of Chicago

The storyline of the movie strongly resembles the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes. In this play, the character Lysistrata leads women from opposing sides of the Peloponnesian War to abstain from sexual relations with their husbands as a means to end the conflict. The modern adaptation, titled Chi-Raq, sets this story in contemporary South Side, Chicago. The female lead character, portrayed by Teyonah Parris, keeps her original Greek name. Additionally, the film incorporates two aspects from the original play: a chorus, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who frequently breaks the action to speak directly to the audience, and dialogue that is delivered in rhyme.

Although the main storyline of the movie is inspired by Aristophanes’ play, the motivation for Lysistrata’s strike – abstaining from sex as a means of protest – draws directly from a real-life event. At the start of the film, Lysistrata witnesses the tragic consequences of gun violence when she encounters a distraught mother (Jennifer Hudson), whose daughter Patti was fatally shot. This scene is loosely based on an incident in Hudson’s own life: her mother, brother, and nephew were all victims of gun violence in Chicago in 2008. Given Hudson’s personal history, her portrayal of the grieving mother Irene’s pain and anger is likely to resonate deeply with viewers who are familiar with her heartbreaking story.

It’s unfortunate that Hudson isn’t alone in empathizing with Irene’s extraordinary ordeal. In a signature style of Spike Lee’s cinematic works, the movie intertwines its fictional narrative with real-life events. Unlike his usual practice of breaking the fourth wall towards the end of films such as Malcolm X (1992) and BlacKkKlansman (2018), Lee begins Chi-Raq by presenting a series of statistics that reveal an alarming truth: since 2001, more Americans have been killed by gunfire in Chicago than those who perished in either Afghanistan or Iraq. This is the basis for the film’s unique title, Chi-Raq, which combines ‘Chicago’ and ‘Raq’, a term often used to describe war zones. The comparison of Chicago to a war zone overseas was met with controversy, with some Chicago residents and political figures like then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel requesting that Lee change the title, a demand he declined.

‘Chi-Raq’ Is a True Tragicomedy

After initiating the sex strike, the movie suddenly shifts its tone and turns into a humorous and absurd narrative. For example, not long after Lysistrata and her fellow activists start their sex strike, they plot to seize control of a local arsenal to garner nationwide support for their cause. Interestingly, even though they are unarmed, Lysistrata successfully deceives a general with Confederate sympathies (David Patrick Kelley) by using charm and exploiting the cannon’s phallic symbolism, causing him to tie himself to an old Civil War cannon. Similarly, when the police and military attempt to coax the women out of the arsenal by playing sensual music to stimulate their desires, the women use earplugs to mute the “bombardment,” while the men outside, already starved of intimacy, become even more aroused upon hearing the music.

In the face of the film’s bleak reality and backdrop, some viewers might find the comedic and satirical elements surprising or even inappropriate. However, it’s crucial to consider why these satirical aspects are present. The answer lies in their criticism of toxic masculinity, a theme that the movie suggests is the root cause of much gun violence and gang conflict in Chicago’s Southside. By mercilessly mocking male egoism and insecurity, the film underscores how pitiful and destructive such an attitude can be. In this perspective, the comedy and tragedy of the film complement each other, rather than clashing.

Furthermore, the movie contrasts its humorous sequences with deeper moments of social critique. For instance, during Patti’s funeral, a local priest (portrayed by John Cusack) delivers a lengthy and impassioned speech criticizing the gun industry (alongside the politicians they support financially) for exploiting the deaths of disadvantaged Black men, women, and children in Chicago. This violence struggle is connected to the broader historical fight for civil rights. Moments like these linger in the viewer’s consciousness even as the film shifts towards a more satirical tone. It serves as a reminder that although Lysistrata’s mission may appear absurd, the purpose she stands for is both extremely serious and admirable.

Hope for a Better Future

The core message of the movie Chi-Raq is most effectively summarized by comparing its start and finish. At the beginning, the screen remains dark as Nick Cannon raps despairingly about dwelling in “Chi-Raq,” not Chicago, with the song’s verses displayed like a music video. However, the movie ends with Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Dolemedes, standing before a massive American flag (reminiscent of the opening scene from the 1970 film Patton) and expressing optimism that one day “Chi-Raq” will transform back into “Chicago.

In typical fashion of Spike Lee’s films, beneath the portrayal of violence, fiery discourse, and mockery of America’s issues lies a profound affection and optimism towards his nation and its multicultural populace. The film Chi-Raq is accessible for free streaming on Amazon Prime Video via this link.

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2025-03-27 00:32