ed carpet interviews are not often memorable. Unless, that is, the journalist with the microphone has stopped Spike Lee. Whether he is dressed up in purple in tribute to Prince or in purple and gold to honour Kobe Bryant; whether his sneakers are more eye-popping than the frames of his glasses, it is what Lee actually says that usually makes the headlines. Fearless and quick-witted, the director dances through the Hollywood cavalcade, upsetting some and inspiring millions of others. And that’s without taking into account the genre-busting films he makes.
This week, America’s lord of movie misrule takes up an honoured position at the head of the Cannes film festival jury, steering that small panel of illustrious actors and directors who will decide on the winners at the end of a fortnight in the south of France, celebrating cinematic talent. He is the first person from the African diaspora to take up the president’s role.
It was not planned but it seems appropriate that Lee will preside over a festival set to go down in history for other reasons. Cancelled last year, the 2021 edition, the 74th in its history, is taking place much later in the year than usual, so the fabled Riviera will actually be hot. It should be sun shades, not umbrellas, that are held above the stars as they smile and wave their way up the steps of the Palais des Festival this time.
