Spike Lee's Chi-Raq tackles gun violence with modern take on Lysistrata

AudaciousAmerican filmmakerSpike Lee makes a bold statement about ganglife and a culture of gun worshipthat hasensnaredyoung black men and turned Chicago's South Sideinto a war zonein his latest movie, Chi-Raq.

The satirical musical drama draws inspiration fromthe ancient Greek comedy Lysistrataby Aristophanes, about the title character's bold plan to end the Peloponnesian Warby convincing women to withhold sex from Athen's men until peace is achieved.

The topical Chi-Raqfollows a similar premise, but revolves around a contemporarywoman named Lysistrata (TeyonahParris) who isdating a rapper and gang leader (Nick Cannon) in aChicagorocked by gang shootouts and thedeaths of innocent bystanders. The filmunspoolsin verse, complete with Samuel L. Jackson turning up as aone-man chorus.

The star-studded cast also includes Angela Bassett, John Cusack, Wesley Snipes,Jennifer Hudson andDave Chappelle.

Lee is wellknown for his powerful,provocative andeye-opening oeuvre, including moviessuch as Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Inside Man, 25th Hour andWhen the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.

Inthe following clip,the Oscar-winning filmmakertalks withCBC's Peter Mansbridge about what he thinks can help stem the culture of gun worship in the U.S. today.

Spike Lee: Violence is as American as apple pie

9 years ago

Duration 1:15

The filmmaker, whose new film Chi-Raq updates an ancient tale by setting it against gang warfare and the culture of gun worship, talks about changes needed in the U.S. today.

"There always will be debate about whether art can change the world and put me on the side that raises their hand and says, 'Art can change the world,'" Lee said in a recent interview with the Canadian Press.

"Art can have an impact, I'm on that side. And I'll always be on that side."

Chi-raqis currentlyplayingin Torontoand availableon iTunes. It opens inVancouver and Calgary on April 1.