In celebration of Black History Month 2019, Winona State’s Film Studies Program is collaborating with the Office of Inclusion and Diversity on the film series “Resilience and Resistance in the films of Spike Lee.”

Spike Lee burst onto the filmmaking scene in the 1980s with films that were provocative, funny, innovative, insightful, and challenging.  His classic Do the Right Thing, regarded as one of the very best films of the 20th century, celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer.  His most recent film, the Oscar-nominated BlacKkKlansman, returns to some of the same themes and methods—and acclaim—of his earliest work.  Attendance for these and all films in the series is free and open to the public.  Each program will provide context for the film’s content and avenues for further discussion.  All films take place in Science Laboratory Center 120 at 7 pm.

Thursday, February 14: BlacKkKlansman (2018), the recent critical hit based on the true story of the black detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. Rated R.

Monday, February 18: Four Little Girls (1997), Lee’s compelling documentary about the terrorist bombing and resulting deaths of four young African-American girls at the height of Civil Rights Movement.

Thursday, February 21: Crooklyn (1994), Lee’s most autobiographical film, a richly-textured familial comedy-drama set in the early 1970s. Rated PG-13.

Monday, February 25: Do the Right Thing (1989), the fierce, funny, powerful, tragic classic that made Spike Lee a household name in American culture and an important figure in American cinema. Rated R.

Thursday, February 28: Inside Man (2006), Lee’s most commercial film, a tense heist thriller with an all-star cast of Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Clive Owen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Rated R

The series is presented by Inclusion and Diversity as a part of its Black History Month programming in cooperation with the Film Studies program and curated by students in Film 440 with support from the College of Liberal Arts, the Integrated Wellness Center, the Office of Community Engagement, and the Departments of English, Political Science/Public Administration/Ethnic Studies, Sociology/Criminal Justice/Geography, Music, History/Legal Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Check here for previews of each film and other content as the series approaches!