Clint Eastwood: Spike Lee Should "Shut His Face", Lee Responds, "We're Not On A Plantation"

UPDATE:
"First of all, the man is not my father and we're not on a plantation either," Spike Lee told ABCNEWS.com about Clint Eastwood. "He's a great director. He makes his films, I make my films. The thing about it though, I didn't personally attack him. And a comment like 'a guy like that should shut his face' -- come on Clint, come on. He sounds like an angry old man right there."

"If he wishes, I could assemble African-American men who fought at Iwo Jima and I'd like him to tell these guys that what they did was insignificant and they did not exist," he said. "I'm not making this up. I know history. I'm a student of history. And I know the history of Hollywood and its omission of the one million African-American men and women who contributed to World War II."

"Not everything was John Wayne, baby..."

"I never said he should show one of the other guys holding up the flag as black. I said that African-Americans played a significant part in Iwo Jima," he said. "For him to insinuate that I'm rewriting history and have one of the four guys with the flag be black ... no one said that. It's just that there's not one black in either film. And because I know my history, that's why I made that observation."

******
PREVIOUSLY:

Clint Eastwood has advised rival film director Spike Lee to "shut his face" after the African-American complained about the racial make-up of Eastwood's films.

In an interview with the Guardian published today, Eastwood rejected Lee's complaint that he had failed to include a single African-American soldier in his films Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima, both about the 1945 battle for the Japanese island.

In typically outspoken language, Eastwood justified his choice of actors, saying that those black troops who did take part in the battle as part of a munitions company didn't raise the flag. The battle is known by the image of US marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi.

"The story is Flags of Our Fathers, the famous flag-raising picture, and they didn't do that. If I go ahead and put an African-American actor in there, people'd go: 'This guy's lost his mind.' I mean, it's not accurate." Referring to Lee, he added: "A guy like him should shut his face."

Keep reading

-or-

Read Spike Lee's Clint Eastwood criticism from Cannes just last month:

"He did two films about Iwo Jima back to back and there was not one black soldier in both of those films," Lee said Tuesday at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was a judge in an online short-film competition.

"Many veterans, African-Americans, who survived that war are upset at Clint Eastwood. In his vision of Iwo Jima, Negro soldiers did not exist. Simple as that. I have a different version," Lee said.

Comments

[9yroldayesha]

Everybody is missing the forest for the trees. The issue is no one can criticize Obama either directly or indirectly. A few days before this manufactured event by Spike, Eastwood said he felt sorry for Clinton, blah blah. I guess the powers that be in Hollywood decided that Eastwood should be put in his place and this brouha could also serve as a lesson to others.

[BDunne]

what? you don't even know the context of Spike's comment but yet you call it a "manufactured" event. You're a joke.

[pdsimdars]

I don't know about what is in either of their minds, but I do questions many of these comments, they seem to be about their films, their personalities, etc.
The fact is, as someone pointed out, there were 2.5 Million African Americans who contributed in the war. There was not ONE in either film. Those were the facts pointed to by Spike.
Clint reacted personally and was in error and refused to acknowledge it. And that's BS, I don't care who you are. What don't you understand about that?

You go Spike.

[BDunne]

Ding! Ding! Ding!
thanks Pdsmidars! thanks!

[americahappens]

America Happens to be....

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=35185726

[WendellPerrySociety]

SFkid:

You are on the mark - I always liked Clint Eastwood as an actor i think "The Outlaw Josey Wales" is the greatest western ever made, but all of his films as a director, I think have been overrated and really sleep feast from Unforgiven to Mystic River to Million Dollar Baby and these war movies. I do wonder though what Clint meant by a guy like Spike should keep his mouth shut because as a director Spike has been directing about as along as Clint or longer - it is not like Spike is some young hip hopper who just started directing movies.

[Agentlady007]

Yeah, my little Josey ( My cat) - who died last year, was named after Josey Wales. They're both fine.
The cat however, not so much.

[rzan]

I love Clint Eastwood's movies, and I don't think he is a racist. I love Spike Lee's movies and have learned a lot from him. I just wish these two guys would get together and really have it out, and then let go of all this animosity.

[TRYKER]

It sounded rather like a plantation remark.
Who is Clint that he can suggest that Spike Lee (of all people) should shut his mouth?
Its something unexpected from the re-known actor/director of some age, unbecoming, insulting and too juvenile.

[TIMLHOWE]

"we're not on a plantation either,"

Spike Lee is not only a race obsessed bigot - he's a raging ass....

And so are the complete fools here who are calling Eastwood a racist.

Its too bad - Do the Right Thing and malcolm X were good picks - but as he became more famous and wealthy - his ego and resentments have exploded...

This happens to many a weak man - in any profession...

He is best ignored...

[BDunne]

hmm..ignored? what he said was absolutely true. why are you attacking him? he didn't call him a racist. what the f'k did you read?

[Agentlady007]

Spike is the new Bill Cosby of the 21st century. Not unlike Sesame Street was in the sixties to television and network education. Universal laws that teach children and this new era of mass literal multi-lingual arts college pre- requisites, understand its meaning - the new meaning of Black vs. White in a gray world. Spike always seemed to me as a very cute unique artist that had a Picasso type of message for the human race in his art. It separated the hood from the could. To the point not like Dahi, ( Salvador) who always had a sexist message in his art intertwined with his style of abstract perfectionism. Spike avoided this IMO. He likes to tease you to buy his work in progress and yet if you critque it in progress he will say no one likes a critique, and he is not finished therefore you have no talent yet to an opinion-- and becomes defensive. Yet at the same time is considered the next greatest modern thinker and innovator of the century because of his unique gift as an artist. This was Clint 20 years ago. Spielberg has also experienced this and yet has never had a break from it. Spike was this 15 years ago, and we are all reliving his dejavu IMO. He isn't Bill Cosby, but I would bet Bill is someone he would like to know. ( If he doesn't already.)

[marinade]

My goodness, what a spectacle!

[Devver]

I know!! What the heck was Spike thinknig, voicing an opinion? Is he insane? look at all this venom, and Clint!! OMG!! This is what we worry about.....Scotty...it's time...here are my co-ordinates...

[Pamela1961]

Actually Spike Lee wasn't correct in about his knowing History because it was closer to 2.5 million African American men and women who contributed to WWII. Still I think his original attack on Clint was more to bring attention to his own film and throwing around the racial and ageist comments isn't honoring the African Americans who dedicated so much to WWII.

I think Spike Lee is more in this fight for himself.

[SFkid]

Who cares...neither of these movies were considered amazing, in fact, I think I fell asleep to Letters to Iwo Jima. And Spike, I don't think you made anything worth watching in 10 years regardless of how many races you put in.

[rzan]

Have you seen When The Levees Broke? It is really his best work to date. If he never did anything else in his life, he could be proud to have made such a great contribution. I think I was asleep during Hurricane Katrina. This film woke me up.

[widowson]

WANNAREADATWORK,

You're just as fact deluded as Spike. "Support" units are NOT combat units. We can all decry the lack of integration during WWII, but the simple fact is that there were no black combat troops on Iwo. Sure, some supply guys saw some heat while bringing ammo to the front. And sure, a few of them were hit, but those numbers are insignificant.

If Spike Lee is, as he claims, a student of history, then he's a pretty crappy one. He just wanted something to bitch about so he could get his name in the paper. It's as simple as that.

And as far as racism goes, Spike is every bit as racist as those he complains about. You know, you don't have to be white to be a racist. The only movie of his I saw at the theater, "Jungle Fever," was about a black guy boning a white chick in a case of adultery or some such. What am I supposed to think of that? Sounds like racist fantasy to me, not that there is anything wrong with it. My little (white) brother is married to a black chick. NBD.

But here's your black history test - ready?

At the Boston Massacre, in the lead up to the American Revolution, there was one black guy killed. What was his name?

Now for the bonus question - name ONE white guy who was killed at the Boston Massacre. Can't do that? Now you gonna tell me you ain't

[robXdion]

So when a black guy is "boning a white chick" in a movie it's racist, but your little brother or any other white male with a black female is true love? Yeah OK.

[BlackWidowPilot]

"So when a black guy is "boning a white chick" in a movie it's racist, but your little brother or any other white male with a black female is true love? Yeah OK."

Below the belt, "robXdion." You neither know this poster's brother, his wife, or their relationship. The characters depicted in Jungle Fever were carrying on an extramarital affair, pure and simple. And the other characters including John Turturro's depicted different degrees of relationships between human beings Black and White. John Turturro's character IMHO depicted a man who saw past colour, and fought *all* of his so-called friends to pursue a woman who had touched his heart, the ignorant, xenophobic opinions of others be damned.

"widowson" is IMHO not thinking either re: Jungle Fever in suggesting it is a "racist fantasy."

At this point, IMHO neither of you is using the wits that the Good Lord gave the both of you.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[BlackWidowPilot]

"But what I do know is you have crossed the line a couple times in your eagerness to score points. I don't know the poster's brother, but his ire over the "Jungle Fever" scene is comparable to "Monster's Ball". But knowing you, you'll probably defend that too. "

Start by referring to my reply below buried under the HuffPo "There are More Comments on this Thread. Click Here to See them All."

"I don't care about your "humble opinion". Didn't ask for it. It's not even "humble" anyway. Keep your "humble opinions" and find a better way to broach a topic with someone who's not addressing you. "

Rob, this is an internet forum; it's wide open season, and fair game for commentary...

"You need to come correct or don't come at all. GOP defender? I still can't get over that one."

Read my reply below, and stop reacting to the HuffPo-induced "blue fire."

END PART I to "robXdion"

[GrainOSand]

Of all the movies Spike Lee made, the one that motivated you was Jungle Fever huh? That's telling!

James Caldwell a sailor, was one person called white killed in the Boston Massacre, and yes most African Americans proudly cite the death of Crispus Attucks, we get so little historical press that we cling to the little we get like a gun or religion.

Now some questions for you:

Name the porter and the senator in the book "From Superman to Man by J. A. Rogers" and do tell what the conclusion of the book is?

or

What was Malcolm X's mother's name and whose bed did Malcolm sleep in on his pilgrimage trip to Mecca?

or

Who is Charles Drew?

or

What is the relevance of the father of Russian literature to so called African Americans and what is his name.

or

How did the Republic of Liberia come to be as related to American slavery?

No cheating now.

[aubrey8]

the cat's meow....

[williwombat1066]

Black units WERE there. They weren't holding up the flag, but they were there as Mr. Ellis stated and as Mr. Lee contends:

"In establishing scenes on Iwo Jima with hundreds of extras Eastwood whitewashed the black soldiers unloading munitions on the beach."

A: 8th Marine Ammunition Company,
33rd Marine Depot Company
34th Marine Depot Company,
36th Marine Depot Company,

For proof, check out the library of congress:
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp-stories/loc.natlib.afc2001001.03153/

Another site had the following entry:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003132-00/sec10.htm

All Spike was saying to Eastwood is that he (Eastwood) should've given these heroes the respect that was due to them. They fought and died with honor too. In this day and age with even greater access to information, there should be accuracy.

Do not deny these brave veterans their history.

As to McCain and Obama... that's a stretch, but while a dialogue on race is much needed let's keep it out of the campaign for POTUS. And why have it now? Wasn't it just as necessary to have it 10, 20, 30 years ago?

[aubrey8]

Well the story wasn't about the black soldiers unloading munitions on the beach but by all means let's show the black guys on the beach just so blacks don't feel insecure about being left out.

[Agentlady007]

Better yet, let's sabotage the film in reproduction and add a few scenes and insert some black soldiers delivering meds during the battle. We can use some of the old Mash footage.

[sonofsamphm1c]

Two of the black Marines from the munition company are depicted in the movie, and they were mentioned in the Captain Dave Severance's dialogue.

So please explain what Eastwood left out? Looks to me like he got black Marines into the movie that was 99.999% not about them.

[yngcelt]

What about the lack of black soldiers in "Cold Mountain"? Hmm, didn't hear Spike bitch and moan about that, did we? How about the lack of black characters in all three Godfather films? You mean there weren't any blacks in NY from the early 1920's to the 1970's? No cry from Spike about that? What about the lack of black characters in Anchorman? No blacks in San Diego in the 1970's?

[kcjc]

Hey spike, make your own movie

[patianneb]

I truly admire Clint Eastwood, but the comment about Spike Lee: "A guy like him should shut his face" sounds alarmingly like Bill Clinton's recent "slime" outbreak(s) .... (and I like(d) him too!)
What's happening to these old white men anyway?

Could this be a portent of things to come in the wake of Obama-Hillary? -- Old white men falling apart ?

[Redrover666]

Old white men, are falling apart if they tell an idiot to shut up?

[BlackWidowPilot]

"Old white men, are falling apart if they tell an idiot to shut up?"

That depends IMHO on *who* they're telling to shut up, and *why.*

IMHO Eastwood could have handled this with far more class and common sense, and he's old enough to know better.

Come to think of it, so is Spike Lee.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[robXdion]

They have an innate sense of white supremacy, which implies they shouldn't be questioned by blacks. And blacks shouldn't necessarily be presented in history when they were actually there. Bill's "slime" comment was not for Obama, but he did attack Obama for smears and tricks in the same interview. What you are seeing is the Grief Process being played out for the destruction of that mentality and the older crowd has the hardest time coping. They're used to a time when their portrayals never raised an eyebrow. They're used to it. And so are most on this blog.

[aubrey8]

Rob must be a member of Trinity United. He sounds like one of the Pastors preaching to the congregation and telling them how all the White people feel as though they are superior and deserve their "white entitlement" over blacks.

Isn't that what those Pastor's there at Trinity United told you and Barack Obama for the last 20 years Rob?

[Rustomji84]

If I remember correctly, one of the solders was an Indian and a movie was also made about him.
RMR

[kimbari]

I remember that movie. Tony Curtis played the Indian.

Hollywood sucks.

[UnknownSoldier]

Ira Hayes was the Native American's name,

[dbrockx]

Spike lee is right, cLint and a lot of white directors see things in white. History does show you all the wars conssited of both black and white, yet, when movies are made, a lot of them portray the white man as the hero and the black as the villian. We are no longer on a plantation, asking permission, we have just as much rights as anyone else, and those who are older should finally display the truth. Clint sounds like a angry white man that fells how can a black man tell me something. Clint you been doing to many dirty harry movies and given your credited director roles, you should respect what the younger Spike Lee is trying to say. He made a point and you had an opportunity to receive the constructive criticism or react the way you did. You made your choice, but you're still wrong

[robXdion]

Good points!! The naysayers in here are angry as Clint because they actually believe the fake whitewashed history they have been taught. Many have never served in the military and don't know anything other than "the military was segregated". Never heard of the (Army) 761st Medium Tank Battalion or the (USMC) 3rd Ammunition Supply Company, (Army AF) Tuskegee Airmen or the 2221 black volunteers of WW2. Naw, they don't want to know that history because it aids their deluded notions of superiority and nobility as the "real" Americans. They can't realize Spike's argument was first raised by white historians and a Thomas McPhatter, an actual black Marine that supplied the pole for the first flag raising (which was not filmed). The man wanted his role (and his friends') recognized and Clint responds with a brush off.

Instead of saying, "Gee, I didn't know that, tell me more" they fight it. Fight with ever race-baiting attack they can muster to the point of including Al Jolson, Crystal Gail Mangum, OJ, Planet of the Apes, Driving Miss Daisy, Rev. Wright and Obama into the discussion. I have read it all on these pages. It's disgusting.

[MyNameIsJames]

Well said, robX

Those who know better have to demand that a more accurate story is presented to the American public. All of the angry white males who run around denying reality in favor of a fairy tale are losing the argument. People like Spike Lee have to keep pounding on the dam until it breaks, and the TRUTH comes tumbling out

[Agentlady007]

Well, you reap what you sow.

[aubrey8]

Why Pastor Rob of Trinity United, are you still telling those people O.J. was innocent?

[NDUBB]

Robx,

I see your 2 klingons are still jockin' you.

Now go rub that dirt off your shoulder.

[NDUBB]

I know I've been egging on Robx but Aubrey8 and Agentlady I'm real curious if your consider yourselves feminist?
I wonder how your WOC sisters would respond if they knew that one of their white sisters in the struggle against misogyny, hurled racial epitaphs at one of their brothers?
I’ll tell you, WOC disassociate themselves from white female feminist and if you don’t believe me go and Google black Amazon and BFP.
Aubrey8 and Agentlady,
If you have a personal gripe there are certainly other things you can paintball Rob with then make race-laced attacks.
RobX is tough and his comments and style certainly would piss me off if I was on the other end, but I'm afraid you have crossed the line.

[Redrover666]

Well, there's an easy way to get those "angry white men" back.

MAKE YOUR OWN GOD DAMNED MOVIE SPARKY!