After 30 years of being snubbed by the Academy Awards, Spike Lee finally got his first best director nomination (he lost), and he lost the top prize to, um, “Green Book.” Doing the right thing doesn’t come easy at the Oscars. Winning his first Oscar for best adapted screenplay (“BlacKkKlansman”) in the midst of it all was a one step forward, two steps back move — for the Oscars. As I watched Lee, 61, leap into the arms of his friend and longtime colleague Samuel L. Jackson, my eyes glazed over with happiness. We rarely see that kind of black brotherhood and unfiltered joy on Hollywood’s biggest night. But there they were, hugging with a love that is made behind the scenes, in the quiet moments. Advertisement Lee, often portrayed as the angry black man, was sporting an ear-to-ear grin. And then he did what Lee does so well, and reminded us of our reality: The word today is “irony.” The date, the 24th. The month, February, which also happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History Month. The year, 2019. The year, 1619. History. Her story. 1619. 2019. 400 years. Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from can’t-see-in-the-morning to can’t-see-at-night. My grandmother, [inaudible], who lived to be 100 years young, who was a Spelman College graduate even though her mother was a slave. My grandmother who saved 50 years of Social Security checks to put her first grandchild — she called me Spikie-poo — she put me through Morehouse College and [New York University] grad film. NYU! Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today, along with the genocide of its native people. We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let’s all mobilize. Let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there. Advertisement President Trump called that a racist attack in a tweet on Monday. But when it comes to treating black life with dignity, love, and advocacy, Trump can’t touch Lee. Or “Do The Right Thing,” Lee’s 1989 seminal masterpiece. In a purple Ozwald Boateng suit paying homage to Prince and custom gold Air Jordan 3 “Tinker” kicks (word to Mars Blackmon), Lee was both a showstopper and reminder of the gravitas of the moment. The iconic filmmaker rocked the “Do the Right Thing” love and hate rings worn by Radio Raheem, a tribute to the late Bill Nunn who played the character and a nod to the movie that should have won, or at least been a contender for, best film 29 years ago. Kim Basinger, a newcomer at the time, told the Academy audience as much back in 1990. “There is one film missing from this list that deserves to be on it because it might tell the biggest truth of all,” Basinger said of Lee’s unfortunately timeless masterpiece about racism in America. Advertisement “Driving Miss Daisy,” of all films, won that year. “Do the Right Thing” was the backdrop of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s first date. “Do the Right Thing” (along with “Malcolm X”) is one of “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler’s top 5 most impactful films. “Do the Right Thing” was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1999. “Do the Right Thing,” after all these years, resonates. Radio Raheem was killed when police put him in a chokehold. Lee created the scene with the 1983 death of 25-year-old Michael Stewart in mind. When we watch it now, we think of Eric Garner. That is the beauty and brilliance and bittersweetness of a Spike Lee joint. They are often reflections of the past, present, and future. I was 9 years old when “Do the Right Thing” came out. By then, me and my cousins were singing songs from “School Daze.” You know, the film that gave Ruth E. Carter — who last night became the first black costume designer to win an Oscar — her big break? “Thank you for my start,” she said to Lee as she stood onstage Sunday night. “I hope this makes you proud.” In my family, and especially to my mama, Spike Lee was mandatory viewing. For a white woman raised in a small, white, rural town who gave birth to a black daughter in a diverse city, Lee helped give her context. Advertisement For a woman working full-time jobs while warring with addiction and depression, he helped her do the work of educating me when she couldn’t educate herself. She took me to see “Jungle Fever” when I was 11 and dropped me off at the movies to see “Malcolm X” the next year. She preferred comedies. But even if she wasn’t comfortable with some of Lee’s films, she felt I needed to see them for myself. I came to learn I needed to see them because Lee was giving me, and so many other black people, pieces of ourselves. I watch “Crooklyn” as a painkiller to hard days. His films serve as preservations of black life and American history through the art of film. He gave us Carter, Jackson, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and an endless list of A-listers shifting the needle to ensure our stories are told. And when they tell it, they tell it right. So on Sunday when “Green Book” won over “BlacKkKlansman” for best picture, it was an upset. And not because Lee’s film needed to win. It could have been “Black Panther,” “Roma,” “A Star Is Born,” “The Favourite,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” or “Vice.” Choosing “Green Book,” described by Globe film critic Ty Burr as “a movie built to flatter white audiences,” sent a message.<doc-sep>Not everyone was happy about “Green Book” winning best picture. According to reports from inside the Dolby Theatre, “BlackKklansman” director Spike Lee was visibly upset by the announcement and tried to leave the ceremony before the speeches had concluded. “I’m snakebit. Every time someone’s driving somebody, I lose,” he later told reporters backstage, in reference to his breakout film, “Do the Right Thing,” losing the Oscar for Best Screenplay to “Driving Miss Daisy” in 1990. “I thought I was court side at the Garden and the refs made a bad call.” After presenter Julia Roberts announced “Green Book” as Best Picture, AP reporter Andrew Dalton was one of several journalists who noticed Lee wave his arms in anger before storming out of the theater. However, before he could leave, he was stopped at the doors and was forced to return to his seat once the speeches had stopped. Jordan Peele, the Oscar-winning writer-director behind last year’s “Get Out,” reportedly didn’t clap either, nor did other attendees nearby. The backlash appears to be in response to controversy surrounding the film, which had been criticized for perpetuating what some saw as a “white savior” narrative approach to examining race relations. The film topped “BlacKkKlansman,” “Roma” and other critical favorites to win the night’s top prize. “Green Book” was also embroiled in controversy involving the family members of the late Don Shirley, whom the film was based on. Previously, Shirley’s nephew, Edwin Shirley III, and brother, Maurice Shirley openly criticized the film in an interview with Shadow And Act, calling its portrayal of Dr. Don Shirley a “Symphony of Lies” – a statement that film star Viggo Mortensen called “unjustified” and “unfair.” Soon after, screenwriter Nick Vallelonga was implicated in yet another controversy when anti-Muslim tweets resurfaced, showing that Vallelonga had previously upheld a false conservative rumor that American Muslims could be seen cheering after 9/11. Vallelonga later apologized for the tweets writing in a statement, “I spent my life trying to bring this story of overcoming differences and finding common ground to the screen and I am incredibly sorry to everyone associated with ‘Green Book.’ I especially deeply apologize to the incredibly brilliant and kind Mahershala Ali and all member of the Muslim faith for the hurt I have caused. I am also sorry to my late father who changed so much from Dr. Shirley’s friendship and I promise this lesson is not lost on me. “Green Book” is a story about love, acceptance and overcoming barriers, and I will do better.” Finally, director Peter Farrelly was embroiled in his own controversy after reports surfaced about how he would regularly flash his penis two decades ago on the sets of films like “There’s Something About Mary.” “True. I was an idiot,” he said in an apology. “I did this decades ago and I thought I was being funny and the truth is I’m embarrassed and it makes me cringe now. I’m deeply sorry.”<doc-sep>The 91st Academy Awards had a few shockers in store, though many frontrunners from the critics and guild circuits claimed Oscars. But a few awards proved truly surprising in a season that left many guessing. Surprise: “Green Book” Not all pundits picked “Roma” to win best picture, but certainly the lion’s share of them did. The preferential ballot struck again as “Green Book” walked away with a best picture Oscar that, by the end of the season, felt like it could have gone to any of the eight nominees. Snub: Bradley Cooper With three shots on goal Sunday evening, Cooper might have walked away with SOMETHING. Alas, he was already a dark horse at best for lead actor, adapted screenplay and certainly best picture, so while his snubs for “A Star Is Born” might not be shocking, they still sting. Surprise: “Bohemian Rhapsody” Even with pundits picking Bryan Singer’s film to walk away with a few Oscars, the prospect of “Bohemian Rhapsody” claiming the most awards on the night seemed unlikely. Yet there it was, with four Oscars, leading one to wonder if it might have taken the top prize as well if not for the math of the preferential ballot. Not as surprising: No winner mentioned Singer’s name. Snub: “The Favourite” The film came into the evening co-leading the nominations with 10 and walked away with just one (albeit stunning) award. At least one film always tends to crash on those rocks, but nevertheless, the film most notably dropped design categories to “Black Panther,” original screenplay to “Green Book” and supporting actress to Regina King. However… Surprise: Olivia Colman, “The Favourite” This one few saw coming, even with a BAFTA prize to show for herself. Colman was the sole representative from Yorgos Lanthimos’ film at the end of the evening, elbowing Glenn Close and a strong “overdue” narrative out of the way in the process. And, well… Snub: Glenn Close, “The Wife” Close still remains the most nominated living actor to not win an Oscar, as the tally now reaches seven nominations and counting. With a head of steam off the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe corridor as well as Spirit Awards recognition, nearly everyone expected her to finally hear her name called. It wasn’t to be. Snub: Amy Adams Few had her pegged to win the supporting actress Oscar for “Vice,” but nevertheless, Adams’ latest loss puts her right behind Close as the second-most nominated living actor yet to win. The sixth time wasn’t the charm, but it seems inevitable she’ll be back. Surprise: “Black Panther” Pundits were predicting various scenarios for Marvel’s prestige blockbuster, but with three victories — including an original score win that most expected to go to “If Beale Street Could Talk” — the movie surpassed expectations, making director Ryan Coogler one of the most cited names in acceptance speeches throughout the night. Snub: “RBG” A film centered on Ruth Bader Ginsburg would seemingly have a leg up, given the contemporary political landscape. She was the subject of a biopic in 2018 and even returned to the Supreme Court in the thick of Oscar voting. In the end, the film was edged out by the slightly more popular “Free Solo.” Surprise: No host required Without an emcee to help move the evening along, most were expecting the flow of the show to be compromised. It turns out, the Academy stumbled onto an epiphany: Who needs a host anyway? The program was able to move along at a clip just fine, and the opening trio of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph made for a great, low-commitment kick-off to the show.<doc-sep>When Green Book won the Oscar for Best Picture at the 2019 Academy Awards, Spike Lee stood up and attempted to leave the Dolby Theater, the Associated Press reports. Lee reportedly appeared “visibly angry” over Green Book’s win, waved his hands, and walked to the exit with his Oscar in hand. He was reportedly stopped by staffers and walked back to his seat. Lee’s film BlacKkKlansman was also nominated for Best Picture. In the press room, Lee said, “I’m snakebit. I mean every time somebody's driving somebody, I lose. But they changed the seating arrangement!” Lee’s film Do the Right Thing did not win any awards in 1990—the year Driving Miss Daisy won multiple awards including Best Picture. When asked specifically about his reaction to Green Book winning, he reportedly said, “Next question!” (Speaking to the BBC, he says his response was: “Let me sip some Champagne.”) He closed by saying, “Whether we won Best Picture or not, this film will stand the test of time being on the right side of history.” He told the BBC: “I guess it’s progress, because Do the Right Thing didn’t even get nominated.” Asked what he thinks of Green Book, he said, after shaking his head, “I mean, it seems very similar to Driving Miss Daisy. They just changed the driving positions.” When pressed on whether something about Green Book “offends” him, Lee said he’d give the British reporters a British answer: “It wasn’t my cup of tea.” Pitchfork has reached out to Lee’s representatives for comment. When Lee was asked about Green Book in a previous interview, he said, “I had a talk with my wife, and we’re not speaking about no other films. Particularly that one.” When asked if he’d stay quiet if Green Book won the Oscar for Best Picture, he laughed and replied, “Well I didn’t say that! Let’s not take it too far!” Tonight, Lee won his first non-honorary Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. In an Instagram post, he said of the win: Read Pitchfork’s feature “Debunking Green Book: Jazz Greats on What It Was Really Like to Tour During Jim Crow.” Follow all of Pitchfork’s coverage of this year’s Oscars, as well as Pitchfork’s Music and Movies Week coverage.<doc-sep>
“BlackKklansman” director Spike Lee took home his first Oscar at Sunday’s Academy Awards, following five nominations over nearly 30 years. “Do not turn that motherf—ing clock on!” he shouted as he took to stage, relishing in a moment years in the making. However, Academy producers were less enthused, bleeping out the sentence and leaving many viewers confused as to why the audio dropped out for so long at the start of his remarks. Audio didn’t cut back in until Lee began thanking his wife Tonya Lewis Lee – the start to an impassioned speech about the history of African-Americans in the United States and the extreme hardships they faced. “I want to thank Tonya,” he said. “The word today is irony; the date, the 24th; the month, February, which also happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History Month; the year, 2019; the year, 1619. History, herstory. 1619, 2019. Four hundred years, our ancestors were stolen from Africa and enslaved. They worked the land from morning to night.” “Before the world tonight I give praise to my ancestors who built our country, along with the genocide of our native people,” he continued. “We all connect with ancestors, to regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment.” Lee also took time to thank his grandmother – a college graduate despite being the daughter of a slave – who saved 50 years of social security checks to put him through college all while calling him “Spiky poo” along the way. After graduating film school from New York University’s Tisch School of Arts, Lee got his first taste of Academy recognition for his 1990 film “Do the Right Thing” before nabbing another nod in 1998 for “4 Little Girls” as well as an honorary Oscar in 2016. This year, Lee is nominated in three categories including best achievement in directing, best motion picture, and best adapted screenplay, for which he won the Academy Award. Back on the Academy stage, Lee closed out his speech with a simple call to action, reminding audience members about the impending presidential elections and ending with a small shoutout for his first hit film. “The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let’s all mobilize, let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate,” he said. “Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there.”