Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax; 713/743-8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2004

Contact: Leticia Konigsberg
713/743-8152 (office)
713/617-7143 (pager)
lkonigsberg@uh.edu

Note to editors: To reserve media seating please call Leticia Konigsberg in the Office of External Communications at 713/743-8152. At Lee’s request there will be no media interviews.

SPIKE LEE TO ADDRESS BLACK HISTORY THROUGH FILM
DURING CAMPUS LECTURE AT UH

As a founding figure in the New Black Cinema, Spike Lee has been instrumental in ensuring that African- American filmmakers play a leading role in shaping the representation of blacks on the screen. Equally important, he is known to be a powerful force in using film to expand the public’s historical consciousness.

Lee will visit with students at the University of Houston Ezekiel Cullen Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 16, 2004, to address history through film in commemoration of Black History Month.

His presentation, “The Filmmaker as Historian,” will serve as a catalyst for campus discussions about such topics as independent film; history and cinema; political commitment and movie making.

“I trust Spike Lee will inspire students to engage in the creative and popular arts and to better understand that film is not merely entertainment, but carries profound political and ideological meanings,” said Steven Mintz, UH professor of history and coordinator of event.

After graduating from Morehouse College, Shelton “Spike” Lee entered New York University’s Institute of Film and Television, where he won the 1982 Student Academy award for his film, “Joe’s Bed-Sty Barbershop: We Cut Heads.” He went on to win the Los Angeles Film Critics New Generation award and the Prix de Jeuness at the Cannes Film Festival for his 1986 hit film “She’s Gotta Have It.” Lee followed this with “School Daze,” a musical comedy about color and class-consciousness among African-American college students. Other films include “Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “Clockers,” and “Girl 6.”

This lecture was funded by PATH: The Project for the Active Teaching of History (a partnership between the UH History Department and College of Education, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Region IV Education Service Center); Tenneco Lecture Series; University Advancement; African American Studies; the American Cultures Program; Student Program Board; and the Council of Ethnic Organizations.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.