ROGERS PARK — Spike Lee's "Chi-Raq" premiered in Chicago Thursday night with a sold-out screening in Rogers Park, followed by a panel discussion that brought mixed reviews to the table.
The movie follows a group of South Side women who take a vow of celibacy until the men in their community put an end to the gang violence that's "killing their babies."
The fast-paced dialogue is delivered — in rhyme — by a star-studded cast that features many Chicago-bred Hollywood standouts, including Jennifer Hudson and John Cusack. An open casting call also opened the door for Chicago residents to act as extras.
Morgan Proctor, a lifelong Chicagoan, said he knew at least three people in the movie. Standing in line before the theater opened, Proctor said he hoped the movie would inspire a dialogue that would reverse the increase in violence he's seen in the past 40 years.
"It's totally different now than it was when I was growing up," he said. "When I was a kid I didn't know anyone who was killed. We played outside back then. Now kids can't do that. You can't let your kids go play outside without the fear that they're going to be shot."
Stephanie Barto of Rogers Park came to the premiere as a fan of Spike Lee.
"I hope I'll see what Spike Lee does best," she said. "I think he'll come at it in an unexpected way and end up making a difference."
The night was facilitated by 49th Ward Ald. Joe Moore and included a forum featuring Rogers Park community leaders and local residents. Moore kicked off the night by acknowledging recent violent events in national and local news.
"This is incredibly great timing in a tragic sort of way," he said. "I don't think there's a person in this room that hasn't been touched by this violence. This is an important opportunity to have a dialogue."
After the screening, the panel debated whether there was room for humor in the film's examination of serious subject matter. One side argued that the movie shouldn't be funny, but opponents said satire provokes discussion.
"I don't feel like this is a matter that is funny at all," said Alex Smith of Rogers Park. "I have family going through things on both the South and West sides of Chicago — burglary, murder, gang violence. There should've been more emphasis on the meaning of the violence and the actual problem solving that can be done," he said of the film after the screening.
Charles Hardwick, who disclosed that he was an active gang member for more than 30 years, echoed Smith's sentiments.
"I think Hollywood did what they were supposed to do. They entertained us," he said. "But I don't want to be depicted like that. I don't want my community depicted like that, even the violent side of my community. Those guys are out there killing our children. They're not out there laughing and joking and chasing tail. They're out there killing."
Cassius Batts of Rogers Park praised the film for taking a different angle in its humor.
"Laughter is a common medicine for life," Batts said. "You can't solve negative things with negative emotions. We as a people don't have the answers, because if we did, it would be fixed right now, right now. But we're trying. This is an effort."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
