Watch: 10-Minute Video Essay Explores The Importance Of Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’

Spike Lee is undoubtedly a provocateur of the highest caliber. That his most recent efforts have missed the mark — “Oldboy,” “Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus” — will never tarnish the legacy of the best joints in his biting and bruising oeuvre. Unfortunately, his most recent outing, the politicized musical satire about gun violence in Chicago, “Chi-Raq,” which sounded promising on paper, did nothing to break the slump, largely striking out with critics and audiences alike.

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But while “Chi-Raq” didn’t quite connect, Lee is clearly still boldly swinging toward something profound and salient the the flick. To help run down the importance of “Chi-Raq” is chicago native Nelson Carvajal and his new video essay “Wake Up: Spike Lee’s Vital ‘Chi-Raq.’” The 10-minute video essay, which comes courtesy of Free Cinema Now, highlights the truly grand nature of Lee’s movie — the greek...