Norfolk, Va.— Spike Lee, a notable writer, director, producer, actor and author who revolutionized both the landscape of independent cinema and the role of black talent in film, will speak at 7 p.m., Monday, September 12 at Norfolk State University’s L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center. Lee’s talk, “Education is the Key,” is free and open to the public.

Born in Atlanta, Ga. and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Lee returned to the south to attend Morehouse College. After graduation, he returned to Brooklyn to continue his education at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in Manhattan, where he received a master of fine arts degree in film production. Later, he founded his own film company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.

Widely regarded as a premiere African-American filmmaker, Lee is a forerunner in the ‘do it yourself’ school of filmmaking. His feature films are famous for shining the light on controversial topics such as race, class and a variety of relationships that many other directors may choose to shy away from. His debut film, the independently produced comedy, She’s Gotta Have It, earned him the Pris de Jeunesse Award at the Cannes Film festival in 1986 and set him at the forefront of the Black New Wave in American Cinema. His second film, the very profitable and critically acclaimed School Daze, helped launch the careers of several young black actors. His film, Do the Right Thing, garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and the Best Picture and Director awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Lee’s Jungle Fever, Mo’ Better Blues, Clockers and Crooklyn were also well received by critics and fans alike. His epic drama Malcolm X received two Academy Award nominations.

In addition to his film achievements, Lee has produced and directed numerous music videos for diverse artists and has authored six books on the making of his films.
Lee’s visit to NSU is part of the New Lyceum Series and is sponsored by the NSU Honors College and Honors College Discipline Specific Honors Programs. For more information, call 823-8373.