During a recent press conference at the Cannes Film Festival for his latest film, “Highest 2 Lowest,” acclaimed director Spike Lee took the opportunity to subtly criticize former President Donald Trump. When asked whether he believes that social media has compromised morals in America, Lee responded, “I don’t know how much we can talk about American values considering who is the president.” His comments reflect a broader sentiment regarding the influence of leadership on societal values.
Lee continued, cautioning against vilifying social media as he stated, “My wife said, ‘Spike, be very careful what you say!’ But here’s the thing, I don’t think we can condemn social media. People say the same thing about film or whatever. So I’m not going to demonize the form.” This insight highlights Lee's nuanced perspective on the intersection of media and morality in today’s society.
When pressed further about Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign-made films, Lee admitted he did not have a definitive answer but recognized the struggles many in the industry face. “No one’s working,” he lamented. “The guy just said he wanted to put a tariff on every film that shot… I don’t know how that’s going to work.” His comments underscore the challenges that filmmakers encounter in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Staying true to his promise to his wife to tread carefully, Lee shifted the conversation to his iconic film “Do the Right Thing,” revealing that it was initially intended to be filmed in Baltimore rather than New York City. “Like get the fuck out of here, we’re not doing that,” Lee recalled, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of New York. “It’s a vibe, it’s an energy. So I’ve been very lucky that I’ve been able to shoot films, especially ones that take place in New York.” Lee expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with collaborators from his past, stating, “I have people who worked on ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ who worked on ‘Do the Right Thing.’”
The film “Highest 2 Lowest” premiered to a 5.5-minute standing ovation at the festival, receiving an unexpected honorary Palme d’Or for lead actor Denzel Washington. Notably absent from the press conference were the film’s stars, including Washington and rapper A$AP Rocky, who plays the role of Yung Felon, an aspiring rapper caught in a high-stakes ransom scenario. Joining Lee on the panel were actors Ilfenesh Hadera and Jeffrey Wright.
The film, an English-language remake of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low,” has been reimagined in a contemporary New York setting. The cast also features Ice Spice in her film debut, as well as notable actors like Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, LaChanze, Aubrey Joseph, Michael Potts, and Wendell Pierce. The screenplay was crafted by William Alan Fox.
Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, “Highest 2 Lowest” is set to hit theaters on August 22, distributed by A24. The film will also be available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 5, allowing a wider audience to engage with this significant work from Spike Lee.
