Spike Lee harshly criticized former President Donald Trump and his historical legacy during a gloomy speech on Sunday at the New York Film Critics Circle’s 86th annual award.
Lee, 63, was in no mood to celebrate during his acceptance speech for the honorary award presented by Martin Scorsese at the virtual awards.
“Da 5 Bloods” director Lee filmed his acceptance speech on January 6, “a very sad day in the history of America”, when pro-Trump protesters stormed the United States Capitol building.
“You know what, we are living in a very serious time in America. All of us, as true Americans, have to really think about what is important,” said Lee. “There is no way to go before the iPhone and thank you without saying what is in my heart and soul as a descendant of slaves who helped to build this country. “
“The whole world is laughing at the United States, the so-called cradle of democracy,” he added.
“We are at a crossroads now. And everyone, please, be safe, this is not a game. These people have guns with ammunition,” said Lee. “This president, President Agent Orange, will go down in history with people like Hitler. These guys, all your guys, are going to the wrong side of the story. “
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Lee, a frequent critic of Trump, thanked him for the award given for his pandemic short film “New York, New York”.
The late actor Chadwick Boseman was honored with the award for best supporting actor 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, first of all, his mother and father,” she said. “Chad was a New York actor. He knew the hustle and bustle of New York. So he didn’t bother much when he arrived in Hollywood, because in New York he was at war.”
“Da 5 Bloods” star Norm Lewis presented the award to Boseman, who died in August 2020, saying, “He will be remembered forever for his versatility and immense talent.”
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Delroy Lindo led the best actor for his role as Vietnam veteran Paul in “Da 5 Bloods”, which was introduced by his “Crooklyn” co-star Alfre Woodard.
“It takes us right into Paul’s tortured heart,” said Woodard of Lindo’s performance. “Delroy, you gave young actors and experienced actors a role model in Paul. That’s how you do it.”
Lindo praised its 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 film fans around the world.”
Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, the 24-year-old star of “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”, received the award for best supporting actress, saying the award was an inspiration to Bulgarian actors that “things like this can happen”.
Frances McDormand presented the award for best director to her “Nomadland” director, Chloe Zhao, saying “it was one she most deeply deserves”. During his acceptance speech, Zhao said it was at New York University where he “learned how to take my first steps as a filmmaker”.
The best film was for “First Cow”, presented by “Parasite” director Bong Joon-Ho, who said he is “often amazed” by director Kelly Reichardt, calling the film “a unique story” and “a story that only Kelly could do. “
This article was originally published in USA TODAY: Spike Lee’s speech: Donald Trump belongs to ‘people like Hitler’