Spike Lee's Chicago Film Will Be a Musical Comedy
Spike Lee's upcoming film, which has grown to Voldemort-esque levels of "Film-That-Will-Not-Be-Named" around these parts, will be a musical comedy based on the Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes. The play takes place during the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BC) and finds the titular character banding other Greek women up to devise a plan to find peace by withholding sex from their husbands and partners to stop the war. The comedy, however, comes in the ironic fact that Lysistrata and her group grow just as sexually-frustrated as the men, creating a dichotomy of mixed feelings. The setup does fall in line with Lee's recent works, and would fit the narrative of a young woman holding out from doing sex until those around her stop the violence in Englewood.
However, looking at Lee's last film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, is still alarming, as the film was a spiritual remake of Ganja and Hess, but didn't do anything to separate itself from its source. The film's title, too, does fit in with the proposed narrative, yet it's still insulting to constantly be attached to and defined by war, especially if the film insulates itself completely within Englewood and not throughout the entire city.
Furthermore, the film will be a musical comedy, which I think is being done to further subvert the film's title, yet sugarcoating the real problem just makes matters more problematic. I'm assuming the musical elements of the film will be due to the soundtrack playing more of a role within the film rather than a more traditional musical, but that's just conjecture. On that same note, it's reported that Kanye West, who was courted for the film, won't be appearing, but may still be providing something for the soundtrack.
[via /Film]
Widespread Panic Headlining North Coast Music Festival 2015
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This post was originally published by our affiliate site, Chicago Music.
North Coast Music Festival (NCMF) is thrilled to announce WIDESPREAD PANIC as the surprise headliner for this year’s festival! The legendary Southern rock jam band has remained in Pollstar’s Top 50 Tours of the Year for the past decade, and continues to be one of the most relevant touring entities on the live music scene after almost 30 years. 2015 marks a special year for the band as they announced the release of their first studio album in five years. This spring WP embarks on a highly anticipated nationwide tour in celebration of their first studio release since Dirty Side Down in 2010.
For more information on NCMF visit here.
USA Today and 10Best Name Riot Fest Best Music Festival
This post was originally published by our affiliate site, Chicago Music.
Riot Fest has consistently been Chicago's best music festival for the past few years, and finally, the festival has been recognized for doing so. USA Today and 10Best have named Riot Fest the country's Best Music Festival as voted by fans, beating out other festivals like Electric Forest Festival and Bonnaroo. Notable music festivals like Chicago's Lollapalooza and Pitchfork Music Festival, Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin City Limits, and SXSW, and California's Coachella didn't make the Top 10.
The accolades come at an uncomfortable time for Riot Fest organizers as they are currently facing some backlash from some Humboldt Park residents and Ald. Roberto Maldonado over the damage caused to the park from last year's festival. A change.org petition was recently started to keep the festival at Humboldt Park, but it appears that it's been taken down. Nevertheless, despite any opposition, Riot Fest has plenty of support. Being named the country's best music festival goes to show just how much the festival and its organization have grown over the past 10 years. Here's to 10 more!
[via 10Best]
Casting Call for Spike Lee's Film Set for Saturday
An open casting call for extras in Spike Lee's upcoming Chicago-based film (the title of which I'm purposely ignoring) is set for this Saturday at St. Sabina Academy in Auburn Gresham. The casting call is being held by 4 Star Casting and is open for all Illinois residents aged 7 to 75 with valid State ID or driver's license. The agency is looking to hire hundreds of extras for the film's shoot from May to July.
The Facebook page for the casting call refers to the film as ChiTruth and not as its controversial moniker. Whether this is a leak of the film's new title or something else entirely is unclear. The casting call comes a few weeks after Lee met with city officials to receive a $3m tax break for the film, during which Mayor Emanuel expressed his dislike for the film's title.
Full details for the open casting call can be seen in the flyer below.
[via RedEye Chicago]
The Windy City Avengers: Chicago's Mightiest Athletes
This post was originally posted on our affiliate site, City on the Take.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is in theaters worldwide, and needless to say I am filled with unbridled excitement. I had the wonderful opportunity to see the midnight premier late last night. Everyone, comic book fans or not, should go see this movie.
With everything going on in the Chicago sports world, I couldn't help but make correlations between the Avengers super heroes and Chicago's super athletes. The Blackhawks have made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bears are going to select the 7th overall pick in their own city, the Bulls just stomped the Bucks out of the NBA Playoffs and the Cubs and White Sox are in full swing for their respective seasons.
I know a lot of people who dig comic books, but aren't so much into the sport scene. On the contrary I also know loads of people who are quite into sports, but don't care much for the comic books and comic book movies/tv shows. I'm hoping to marry the two. It's time that both worlds meet each other, and no better time to do it during than what will be the biggest box-office opening since the last Avengers movie.
To those looking to kill some time between periods, innings, quarters, or draft picks I urge you to read this. For those that are bored out of their mind waiting in line for the midnight premier of the Avengers, check this out and open up your mind to the world of sports. The sports and comic book world are full of so much joy, life and entertainment. If you're not into one, try the other. If you're into both, well we may very well be best friends already.
I know you all can't wait to dig in, so I present to you The Windy City Avengers: Chicago's Mightiest Athletes on City on the Take.
Will Riot Fest Return to Humboldt Park?
This post originally appeared on our affiliate site, Chicago Music. Photo by Geoff Henao.
For somebody that absolutely dislikes music festivals, Riot Fest has been the one consistently appealing and entertaining Chicago festival. A part of what's made Riot Fest so great is its location in Humboldt Park and the organizers' ability to utilize the park's space properly. However, major, lingering damage was sustained during last year's festival, resulting in Riot Fest organizers paying upwards of $150,000 in repairs.
According to RedEye Chicago, Alderman Roberto Maldonado of the 26th Ward isn't too keen on having the festival return to Humboldt Park this year, explaining:
I am exceptionally disappointed at the Riot Fest organizers for the mess they left at the park last year and their shallow and hollow promises to restore the park [...] I don't support them coming back.
At a recent Humboldt Park Advisory Council meeting, Riot Fest organizer Max Wagner assured residents that park repairs are still ongoing seven months after the festival ended. He also let worried residents know that the festival won't grow beyond last year's size, saying the organization is comfortable with capping the festival's size to the level it was at last year. Wagner further explains:
We want to use about half the park. We want to scale it way back. We've agreed to not grow the event any more. We simply don't want to sell any more tickets. We don't want any more people. [We're] fine with capping it where it is.
Unlike Lollapalooza and Grant Park, Riot Fest doesn't have a contract with Humboldt Park. Rather, the organizers are given a permit to hold the event the same week it's scheduled, which is surprising to learn. With opposition coming from both residents and Ald. Maldonado, could Riot Fest realistically relocate this year? It's possible... but unlikely.
[via RedEye Chicago]
Spike Lee Asking for $3 Million Tax Break for Chiraq
Last week, Chicagoans found themselves divided over the announcement that Spike Lee will be directing a Chicago-set film, Chiraq. Myself and the rest of the Ruby Hornet team took a stand against the title, calling the name "misguided, demeaning, and insulting to Chicago." The director is in town for this weekend's CIMM Fest, and recently met with some city leaders to find funding and receive a tax break for the film.
Exactly how much of a tax break is Lee and his production team asking for? $3 million. Alderman Will Burns of the 4th Ward, who also helped structure the film industry tax break system for Illinois, responded to Lee's representatives' request, stating, "You recognize that by seeking public support that gives us a seat at the table." Burns is part of the very vocal group of opposition that finds the film title demeaning. He further states:
With the title Chiraq, that’s branding whole parts of the city. For people who live on the South and West Sides who pay their taxes, are active in block clubs and work to make their neighborhoods better, it’s a slap in the face [...] South Siders and West Siders already walk around with a massive chip on their shoulders. There’s a sense the media only comes to cover dead bodies and not the positive things that happen every day. And why is this guy from New York coming to do a movie about Chicago?
Recently re-elected Mayor Emanuel also met with Lee at City Hall yesterday, voicing his dislike of Chiraq as the film's title to the director. Mayor Emanuel also expressed his concern over the depiction of Englewood residents, where the film will be shot in and located. When asked what Emanuel said to Lee, the Mayor replied:
He said the movie is about the neighborhood of Englewood. I was clear that I was not happy about the title [...] I told him also that there are very good people who live in Englewood who are raising their family. There’s a lot of positive things happening in Englewood, mainly driven by the people that make up Englewood.
With a vocal opposition to the title from both everyday citizens and city leaders, it would only make sense for Lee to truly hear our concern and opinions over why the title should be changed. Lee's a smart man, and I'm sure he'll be open to changing the title from Chiraq once he sees exactly how passionate we are about our reasons... especially if he receives a state tax break to shoot the film here. As Alderman Burns says, "[...] the public should be given a seat at the table, and we need to have a conversation and a dialogue about it. It’s our money, and it’s our city."
[via DNAinfo Chicago]
Spike Lee's Use of Chiraq for His Next Film is Infuriating
My faith in Spike Lee's abilities as a compelling storyteller has been dwindling for a few years now, and it was all but severed after watching his latest film, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus. During my video interview with the director, I asked him why he decided to crowdfund the film, to which he replied, "To get the money." It looks like Lee is going for the money yet again with the title choice for his next film, the offensively-titled Chiraq.
As reported by The Wrap earlier, Lee and Amazon Studios are working together to shoot a film in Chicago with a rumored ensemble cast featuring Kanye West, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Piven, and Common. While there are little to no details beyond these rumors, the film's moniker alone should be enough to piss off dedicated Chicagoans, myself included.
The term "Chiraq" has been plaguing the city's residents for a couple of years now as it compares the city's recent history of gun violence and murder to the war torn country in the Middle East. Some residents (and non-residents, as is wont to happen to those desperately trying to identify with the city) have embraced and glorified the term, while others recognize the nickname's inherent hate and negativity. And for the most part, the term has dissipated with only a select few still embracing the term in an attempt to further push the image of Chicago being a dangerous city. That's not to ignore or brush aside the countless acts of violence we unfortunately hear on a daily basis, but the fact remains that the title bestowed upon this amazing city does nothing to further advance how multi-dimensional and outstanding Chicago is, relegating it to nothing more than a city we ought to be in fear of.
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I acknowledge that, with no plot information for Chiraq, my reactions to the film may be too premature. However, with Lee's recent feature films, he's demonstrated his inability to truly capture the level of quality he showed early in his career. Perhaps his choice of using the term will be used in a way to subvert what it stands for, but I worry Lee won't be able to do the film or this city justice. At the very least, he's done his due diligence, as the Chicago Tribune noted Lee was in town earlier this year to research the city's recent history of violence with St. Sabina's Reverend Michael Pfleger. And for that, I commend him.
However, the use of the term is misguided, demeaning, and insulting to Chicago. We are more than just "Chiraq," but by having an icon such as Lee embracing the nickname for his film will do nothing to alleviate the city's public perception from those across the country. Last year, VICE released a series of video documentaries that seemed to push an agenda of exploiting the Chiraq phenomenon, and it's with this in mind that I worry even more about Lee's Chiraq.
Spike, if you're going to shoot a film dealing with and discussing the city's violence, I implore you to come up with a better title. Use a title that isn't so closely associated with murder, with violence, with gang culture, with ignorant rappers, with hate. I love my city, and I would never refer to it with such an ugly term that exploits every single Chicagoan that has been affected by the city's outbursts of violence. And if you do decide to keep the title, prove me wrong - show me and the world that you still have something left in the tank to bring change to a problem that's plagued us for years.
Rest in peace, Mikal.
[via The Wrap]