Spike Lee’s BlackkKlansman depicted the life of Black detective Ron Stallworth, who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. During a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, the Brooklyn-bred filmmaker discussed why he believes the film was so successful and how it led to a collaboration with pop-rock group the Killers.
Speaking about the film’s connection to today’s audience, Lee shared, “I think it really deals with the world we live in today. I keep saying this, but it’s true — ‘The stars were in alignment.’ Everything is timing, really. You could do anything — a great song, movie, play, novel — and one little thing in there, it’s not gonna hit. It’s not gonna have impact. It’s timing.”
Timing also played a factor in Lee directing the Killers' latest visual, Land of the Free.
“[Killers lead singer] Brandon Flowers called me up," Lee revealed. "He saw BlacKkKlansman, said he loved it. It’s a great protest song. He said, ‘What can you do with this?’"
The song takes aim at President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall, gun violence and racism. Lee also believes the video dropping amid the longest U.S. government shutdown in history is significant.
“Again, it’s about what’s happening. Over 800,000 Americans are on their fourth week of not receiving a check,” the esteemed director said. “People are hurting.”
Check out the video below.
