Spike Lee

Film & Theater USA 1957 99 quotes

Street poet of Do the Right Thing, Lee's urgency quotably tackled urban racism.

Most quoted

"I'm a firm believer that everybody should be able to tell their own story, and I don't think that should be limited to one race or one gender."

— from Interview

"Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, make no mistake."

— from Interview, 1992

"I'm not interested in making films that are just entertainment. I want to make films that make people think."

— from Interview

All quotes by Spike Lee (99)

Brooklyn is the borough that made me.

Interview 1986

Politics and art are intertwined.

Interview 2016

I never wanted to be just a filmmaker; I wanted to be a voice.

Speech 1990

Education is the key to everything.

Interview 2005

I love jazz; it's the soundtrack of my life.

Interview 1998

The camera doesn't lie, but it can be directed.

Speech 2013

Racism is America's original sin.

Interview 2017

Creativity comes from constraint.

Interview 2000

I don't regret anything in my career.

Speech 2022

Film school taught me discipline.

Interview 1980

Hate is taught; love is innate.

Film (Malcolm X) 1992

New York Knicks forever.

Interview 2010

I make movies to provoke thought.

Speech 1989

Success is a journey, not a destination.

Interview 2005

My father was my first teacher in music and film.

Interview 1998

Diversity in Hollywood is improving, but slowly.

Speech 2018

Storytelling is the oldest art form.

Interview 2015

I thrive on challenges.

Speech 2008

Life is too short not to fight for what you believe.

Interview 2020