Spike Lee Says ‘Chi-Raq’ Isn’t a Comedy

Spike Lee has been under fire this week after the official trailer for his film Chi-Raq sparked an outcry. The people of Chicago criticized Lee for the trailer, claiming that the director is taking advantage of the murders in the city for entertainment purposes. Rhymefest told the Chicago Sun Times that Lee disrespected his hometown by not using any writers from Chicago on the film and that he is exploiting the senseless violence occurring on the Southside of Chicago and flipping it into a comedy.

Hearing the criticisms, the director appeared on camera to explain that his film is not a comedy but rather a satire and he has no intentions of portraying the violence in the city as humorous. "Some people are getting it twisted and thinking that this is a comedy," said Spike. "Chi-Raq is not a comedy. Chi-Raq is a satire. In no way, shape, or form are we not respectful of the situation that is happening in Chi-Raq. In no way, shape, or form are making light of the lives that have been murdered with this senseless violence.

There's many films that we can look at in the history of American cinema that treated serious subject matter and had humor in them. There's an old statement: 'I gotta laugh to keep from crying.' I think that's apropo with Chi-Raq. "

After the statement, more footage from the flick is shown and it has a much more serious tone. Chi-Raq hits theaters Dec. 4.