Spike Lee Oscar Voters Who Hate Diversity Rules Voted For Green Book

While Lee acknowledges there are “a lot of loopholes” with the Academy’s new inclusion rules, he adds “their heart is in the right place. I will say that.” What Lee really wants to do is “sit down with somebody from the Academy” so that he can address the real battlefield at hand, which for the director is “the rarefied air of the gatekeepers.”

“These are the people, individuals who decide what we’re making and what we’re not making, who’s going to write it, who’s going to direct it, who’s going to produce it, who’s a star in this,” Lee said. “In speaking about the subject, I always go to Lin-Manuel’s ‘Hamilton’ — You got to be in the motherfucking room. You got to be in the room where it happens. If we’re not in the motherfucking room where the motherfucker happens, ain’t no motherfucking thing going to change. Quote that!” Related 2023 Brings a Diverse Set of Oscar Contenders. Will the Final Nominees Reflect that? ‘Living’: The Prime of Mr. Bill Nighy Related Guillermo del Toro’s Favorite Movies: 45 Films the Director Wants You to See The 15 Best Vampire Movies Ever Made
Lee has often been outspoken about “Green Book” and “Driving Miss Daisy” winning Oscars for Best Picture. Both films tell stories about race from a white perspective. When “Green Book” won Best Picture, Lee famously turned his back to the stage and appeared visibly angry over the decision. “Green Book” won over Lee’s own “BlacKkKlansman,” which earned the filmmaker an Oscar for screenwriting. Lee reacted to the “Green Book” win backstage by saying, “The ref made a bad call.” At the 1990 Oscars, “Driving Miss Daisy” won Best Picture while Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” didn’t even land a nomination. As Lee told reporters at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, “To be honest, after ‘Do the Right Thing,’ I said, ‘That’s it.’ You know? That’s not to say I wasn’t happy to get the honorary award, but as far as Oscars, my thing has always been my body of work. What film won best film of 1989? ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’ Driving Miss motherfucking Daisy. Who’s watching that film now?” Lee’s latest film, “Da 5 Bloods,” opened on Netflix in June and is widely expected to factor into the Oscar race. Head over to Variety’s website to read Lee’s cover story in its entirety. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.