[A Cinematic Dialogue: Spike Lee and Ryan Coogler on Art, Legacy, and the Power of Cinema]-[Ryan Coogler & Spike Lee ｜ Directors on Directors]

Variety · B1 ·

📋 Summary

The Intersection of Cinematic Legacies

This conversation between legendary director Spike Lee and acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler serves as a profound meditation on the craft of filmmaking, the evolution of the industry, and the enduring necessity of the theatrical experience. Their discussion highlights a mutual respect rooted in shared values, noting that their professional relationship—much like their personal ones—is built on a foundation of "love and trust."

The Sacredness of the Theater

Both filmmakers express a passionate defense of the movie theater as a "sacred experience." Lee, recounting his early childhood memories of being dragged to theaters by his cinephile mother, emphasizes that seeing a film on the big screen is an irreplaceable communal act. Coogler agrees, noting that in an era where technology allows us to "press pause or stop" content at home, the theater remains one of the few places where we are forced to be fully present and disconnected from the distractions of daily life. They lament the modern tendency for audiences to check phones during screenings, with Lee referencing Yoda’s philosophy: "Do or do not do. There is no try."

The Art of Reinterpretation

A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on their respective processes for reinterpreting classic cinema for modern audiences. Lee discusses his work on Inside Man and Highest and Lowest (a reinterpretation of Kurosawa’s High and Low), emphasizing that his approach is not a "remake" but a "reinterpretation." He notes that while the morality of the original story—"What will you do for money?"—remains timeless, the context must shift. Lee explains how he utilized sports culture, specifically the rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, to ground his high-stakes sequences in a tangible, modern reality.

Challenging the Leading Man

Coogler and Lee share insights into their collaborative relationships with their leading men, Denzel Washington and Michael B. Jordan. Coogler describes the challenge of directing Jordan in Creed and Sinners, where he pushed the actor to perform complex, physically demanding sequences without stunt doubles to maintain the "truth of a moment." Similarly, Lee discusses the "genius of Denzel," specifically recounting how Washington spontaneously drew inspiration from Nas’s Illmatic to elevate the intensity of a rap battle scene in Inside Man. Both directors agree that their role is to provide the environment where actors can "stand toe-to-toe" with the material, pushing them to reach new levels of performance.

Lessons from the Past

Reflecting on his 40-year career, Lee shares wisdom gained from his time at NYU graduate film school, where he was exposed to world cinema—specifically mentioning the influence of Kurosawa’s Rashomon on his own film, She's Gotta Have It. Both directors acknowledge that while they are "killing the game," they are constantly learning. They conclude by affirming that their success is not a "supernatural thing" but the result of hard work and the wisdom accumulated through decades of navigating the industry. The conversation serves as a testament to the idea that when filmmakers prioritize the "foundation of love and trust," they can continue to create work that resonates across generations.

🎯Key Sentences

The whole audience was dying laughing.

She sat this one out.

Let me get it out from the jump.

I was giving you a warning.

We were hauling ass.

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📝Key Phrases

dying laughing

sat this one out

from the jump

shot in the dark

hauling ass

Expand All

📖 Transcript

The whole audience was dying laughing.

I truly believe that there isn't any experience like a movie in theaters.

Next time, I'm bringing George Lucas in here.

Oh, man.

What's up, man?

Sir.

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