Entertainment

The First Trailer For Spike Lee's Controversial Movie 'Chiraq' Is Here (Video)

by Kendall Wood
Vimeo

The trailer for Spike Lee's newest film, "Chiraq," is finally here.

The film, debuting in limited release on December 4, explores Chicago gang violence as compared to Iraq (hence, "Chi-raq").

The film comes with a star-studded cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson, Dave Chappelle, John Cusak, Angela Bassett and Nick Cannon.

"Chiraq" is based on the Greek comedy, "Lysistrata," where women "deny all rights of access or entrance [to their bodies]" to male suitors in an attempt to foster peace and stop the murder epidemic in the city.

The trailer below gives a glimpse at the Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate production, led by main character Lysistrata, played by Teyonah Parris.

The film still has a month before its big release, but it already has its detractors.

In July, Chicago City Councilman Alderman William Burns told The Chicago Tribune,

I have no issue with filmmakers wanting to make movies about the city of Chicago. What I do have issue with is using a title for a movie that offends many people on the South Side, makes it harder to bring economic development to those neighborhoods and to give someone a tax subsidy to do it.

But is it offensive if it's honest? According to the Tribune, more than 1,000 people have been shot in the city so far this year.

We'll have to wait another month to see if the film is an honest portrayal, or offensive parody.

Citations: Watch The Trailer for Spike Lee's Chiraq (The Fader)