Spike Lee’s “Chi-Raq”, based loosely on Aristophanes’ play “Lysistrata” in 411 B.C., tells the story of the main character’s, Lysistrata (played by Teyonah Paris), resolve to end gang violence in Englewood, South Side Chicago by leading women to withhold sex from men. With an amalgam of somewhat crude yet cleverly delivered lines, rhyming verses, and heartbreaking moments, the movie captures the viciousness of gang violence, and the significance of women in our society. For those reasons, “Chi-Raq” has successfully blended elements of ancient Greek literature with present-day details to reflect an alarming crisis of the contemporary world. Similar to the ancient Greek play, “Chi-Raq” demonstrates the pain and traumatized events associating
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Despite the biases and stereotypes against women, the film depicts a group of brave, resolute, and independent women, led by Lysistrata, to stand up against needless violence. In a both sarcastic and iconic scene, Lysistrata leads 75 unarmed women to take over the United States Military Armory. Using her wit, she manipulates and captures General King Kong, who the movie portrays as a racist and corrupted official, then persevere with the sex strike until her desire for peace is fulfilled. Hence, the tedious, challenging yet rewarding sex strike illustrated in the film represents women’s strength and determination, which are often neglected by modern movies and …show more content…
Perhaps viewers can never forget the image of a desperate mother, Irene (played by Jennifer Hudson), as she tries to wash away the blood stain of her daughter Patty on the concrete road. During Patty’s funeral, we are moved by Father Mike Corridan’s (John Cusack) poignant and passionate sermon about standing up and not surrendering to fear. And finally, the movie reaches a dramatic climax at the end when Chi-Raq (Nick Cannon), at last bursts into tears by the portraits of little children who died from stray bullets, and confesses to killing Patty. The transition of Chi-Raq from a tough, callous gang leader to a remorseful, emotional man is not a detail from the Greek play, but of Spike Lee’s own invention. It serves to emphasize the value of a human life, and the eventual hollowness of gang battles. Through these heartfelt developments, the film captivates viewers’ emotions, and directs them at the severe condition of Chicago’s gun
Despite the biases and stereotypes against women, the film depicts a group of brave, resolute, and independent women, led by Lysistrata, to stand up against needless violence. In a both sarcastic and iconic scene, Lysistrata leads 75 unarmed women to take over the United States Military Armory. Using her wit, she manipulates and captures General King Kong, who the movie portrays as a racist and corrupted official, then persevere with the sex strike until her desire for peace is fulfilled. Hence, the tedious, challenging yet rewarding sex strike illustrated in the film represents women’s strength and determination, which are often neglected by modern movies and …show more content…
Perhaps viewers can never forget the image of a desperate mother, Irene (played by Jennifer Hudson), as she tries to wash away the blood stain of her daughter Patty on the concrete road. During Patty’s funeral, we are moved by Father Mike Corridan’s (John Cusack) poignant and passionate sermon about standing up and not surrendering to fear. And finally, the movie reaches a dramatic climax at the end when Chi-Raq (Nick Cannon), at last bursts into tears by the portraits of little children who died from stray bullets, and confesses to killing Patty. The transition of Chi-Raq from a tough, callous gang leader to a remorseful, emotional man is not a detail from the Greek play, but of Spike Lee’s own invention. It serves to emphasize the value of a human life, and the eventual hollowness of gang battles. Through these heartfelt developments, the film captivates viewers’ emotions, and directs them at the severe condition of Chicago’s gun