A few days ago (Nov. 3), Spike Lee shared the trailer to "Chi-Raq," his upcoming film starring Samuel J. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Wesley Snipes, Nick Cannon, and more. The preview suggested that the plot would focus on the efforts of women in inner-city Chicago to unite and convince their male significant others to lay down their weapons. The trailer was highly theatrical and many thought Lee was making a "comedy" about violence in Chicago.
Some critics of the trailer included well-known Chicago rappers such as Lil Bibby, Lil Durk, and Lil Reese. Veteran Chi rapper Rhymefest told Lee, "you owe Chicago an apology."
Lee has now responded to the backlash he received after sharing the trailer, and he defends his film by suggesting that his critics have mistaken "satire" -- how he personally defines "Chi-Raq" -- for "comedy."
"There's a difference between humor and comedy," said Lee in a new response video. "In no way, shape, or form are we not respectful of the situation that is happening in Chi-Raq. In no way, shape, or form are we making light of the lives that have been murdered with this senseless violence. So, people, don't get it twisted."
He went on to rightly say that there have been many great American films that "have treated very serious subject matter and had humor in them." He believes the saying "I gotta laugh to keep from crying" generally applies to "Chi-Raq."
Lee's on-camera defense is followed by two minutes of new -- much more "serious" -- footage from the upcoming film. Watch below.
"Chi-Raq" hits theaters on December 4.
