Chi-Raq (2015)

A modern day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago, Illinois.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers:

Kevin Willmott, Spike Lee

Stars:

Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Wesley Snipes

5 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Cannon	...	Chi-Raq
Teyonah Parris	...	Lysistrata
Wesley Snipes	...	Cyclops
Angela Bassett	...	Miss Helen
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Dolmedes
John Cusack	...	Father Mike Corridan
Jennifer Hudson	...	Irene
David Patrick Kelly	...	General King Kong
D.B. Sweeney	...	Mayor McCloud
Dave Chappelle	...	Morris
Steve Harris	...	Old Duke
Harry Lennix	...	Commissioner Blades
Tony Fitzpatrick	...	Chief Riptide
Anya Engel-Adams	...	Rasheeda
Ebony Joy	...	Marcy

Storyline

After the shooting death of a child hit by a stray bullet, a group of women led by Lysistrata organize against the on-going violence in Chicago's Southside creating a movement that challenges the nature of race, sex and violence in America and around the world.

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Plot Keywords:

violence | murder | woman | chastity belt | crying woman | 

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Taglines:

A Spike Lee Joint

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content including dialogue, nudity, language, some violence and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 2016 (UK)

Also Known As:

Chi-Raq

Filming Locations:

Double Door - 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue, West Town, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,198,356, 6 December 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,647,377, 24 January 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Amazon Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this film, Michelle Mitchenor's character's name is "Indigo". Joie Lee also plays a character named Indigo in another Spike Lee joint, Mo' Better Blues (1990).

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Goofs

At the end when the peace signing ceremony is being conducted all the parties involved are on one side of the signing table which is in front of them between the seats of the amphitheater with all the visible seats empty.

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Quotes

Father Mike Corridan: The question remains: 'Can your plan save us from us?'

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Connections

Spoofs Dolemite (1975)

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Soundtracks

No More
Written by Willie Middleton
Published by Willie Middleton (BMI)
Performed by I.L WILL featuring Lil' Chris
Recorded and Produced by I.L WILL

User Reviews

It's based on a Greek Comedy folks...solid film.

First for the "haters" negative Nancy crowd: I'm bright white, don't love or hate Lee and don't know squat about Chicago.

I thought this was pretty solid. All the valid intelligent criticism I've seen involves elements tying this to Aristophanes work.

I get it,gangsta's and Aristophanes are not things that are closely associated but darn it fruity arty farty reviewers should have read a freaking Greek play at least once or twice in life.

I think Lee did an awesome job here. I gave a s*** about Chicago. The use of Aristophanes Lysistrata was a brilliant way to illustrate how long humanity has been doing this dumb crap. It's a fantastic way to illustrate just how universal this nonsense is.He managed to tie a modern day cultural issue's to ancient Greece. It's real daggum difficult to call Lysistrata "a black thing" or blame "thugs".

Kiddies, that "weird stuff" and "sing song" is the classic Greek comedy influences. Chi-Raq is a melding of modern culture and ancient Greek comedy. Now, Disney's Hercules ya'll have seen and loved that movie. The muses that sing all the songs you love? Zero to Hero 'member? You 'member...same thing. Keep that in mind when you're watching Chi-Raq.

It's fine if you hate it, not everyone digs it. Not everyone loves Broadway either, but at least judge it for what it is. Don't condemn it because of or due to ignorance.

Literature is history,we've got to remember that and teach the kids better. This is just depressing. Kind of adds to Lee's point/message though doesn't it?

Ah well, at least nobody is screaming about Lee being a bastid patriarch co opting Lysistrata and perverting it for his male needs...yet.

As for me, it was different, interesting in a good way and funny. It had raunchy humor mixed with some higher brow stuff. It was thought provoking and chees-ily preachy at times. There's thought in this. There's concern.

I think what's best,for me anyway, was that somebody left the box FINALLY and looked at this from an entirely new perspective. It's not the same boxed up thugs and gangsta garbage. It's not classic men vs women tropes. I loved it for it's oddities. I loved it for the new angles on age old problems.