Spike Lee sharply criticized former President Donald Trump and his historical legacy during a grim speech Sunday during the 86th annual award for New York Film Critics Circle.
Lee, 63, was in no mood to celebrate during his speech for the honorary award presented by Martin Scorsese at the Virtual Awards Exhibition.
‘Da 5 Bloods’ director Lee filmed his acceptance speech on January 6, ‘a very sad day in the history of America’, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the American Capitol building.
“You know what, we’re living in a very serious time in America. All of us as true Americans need to really think about what’s important,” Lee said. “There is no way to go in front of the iPhone and say thank you without telling what is in my heart and soul as a descendant of slaves who helped build this country.”
“The whole world is laughing at the United States, the so-called cradle of democracy,” he added.
“We’re at the crossroads now. And everyone should please be safe. It’s not a game. These people have guns with ammunition,” Lee said. “This president, President Agent Orange, will go with Hitler like history. These guys, all his boys, are going on the wrong side of history. ‘
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Lee, a regular critic of Trump, then resigned for the award given for his short film ‘New York, New York’.
The late actor Chadwick Boseman has been honored with the Best Supporting Actor Award for Lee’s drama “Da 5 Bloods”. Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward Boseman, accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.
“He would have thanked God, in the first place, his mother and his father,” she said. “Chad was a New York actor. He knew the hustle and bustle of New York. So he was very upset when he arrived in Hollywood because he was at war in New York.”
“Da 5 Bloods” star Norm Lewis presented the award to Boseman, who passed away in August 2020, saying, “He will be remembered forever for his versatility and tremendous talent.”
More: The prize winners
Delroy Lindo has the best actor for his role as the veteran in Vietnam in the conflict in Paul in ‘Da 5 Bloods’, presented by his ‘Crooklyn’ co-star Alfre Woodard.
“He’s bringing us right to Paul’s tortured heart,” said Woodard of Lindo. “Delroy, you gave young actors and experienced actors an example in Paul. That’s how you do it.”
Lindo praised his director Lee. “Anyone who has followed Spike’s work for the past 35 years knows that he has not only inspired generations of filmmakers, but also filmmakers worldwide.”
Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, the 24-year-old star of ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’, received the best award for supporting actress, saying that the award was an inspiration to Bulgarian actors that ‘such things can happen’.
Frances McDormand presented the best director award to her director “Nomadland” Chloe Zhao, saying ‘this is one she deserves the most.’ During her acceptance speech, Zhao said it was at New York University where she ‘learned how to take my first steps as a filmmaker’.
The best film went to ‘First Cow’, presented by ‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon-Ho. “
This article originally appeared in the US TODAY: Spike Lee speech: Donald Trump belongs to ‘like Hitler’