Spike Lee Sells U.S. Rights to Kickstarter-Funded Da Sweet Blood of Jesus

Spike Lee raised criticism and cash—$1.42 million, to be exact—when he launched a Kickstarter campaign last year to fund a horror flick called Da Sweet Blood of Jesus. After the film debuted earlier this year at the American Black Film Festival, film distributor Gravitas Ventures has purchased the North American rights. A reinterpretation of Bill Gunn’s 1973 Ganja & Hess, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus stars Zaraah Abrahams and Stephen Tyrone Williams. Spike Lee called it “one of my most gratifying experiences in my body of work,” citing the crowdfunded backing as “a true blessing.” Gravitas plans to release the film theatrically and via video on demand on February 13, 2015.

Read it at Variety.

Two New Episodes of Idris Elba’s Luther Will Film and Air in 2015

Idris Elba’s UK crime drama Luther is returning for another (really short) run. BBC America announced yesterday (November 19) that two new 60-minute episodes of Luther will air in 2015, a continuing downward slide from the debut season’s six episodes and second and third season’s four episodes each. Filming kicks off in March in London. The news follows reports that Fox ordered a pilot for an American adaptation of the popular miniseries, in which Idris Elba and show creator Neil Cross would also produce.

Read it at IGN.

André 3000’s OutKast Reunion Tour Jumpsuits Inspire Exhibit and Film

Through 2014, from city to city, night in and night out, OutKast has electrified crowds via an international reunion tour. But aside from the excitement of “Hey Ya!” or the nostalgia of “Player’s Ball,” there was another accent that brought a uniqueness to each performance: André 3000’s jumpsuits. The shiny black one-pieces each sported an original, often abstract statement that varied with each concert. (Examples: “have you stopped growing?” and “i love old people.”) And now, all 47 jumpsuits are being put on display at the i feel ya exhibit via Savannah College of Art and Design. The exhibition will also feature a Greg Brunkalla-directed film called Trumpets, inspired by the jumpsuits. The exhibit opens at the annual Art Basel runs from December 3-14 at Mana Miami in Florida, to coincide with the annual Art Basel. Then it moves to the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia next summer. That’s so fresh, so clean.

Read it at Pitchfork.