AUBURN GRESHAM-CHICAGO — After hundreds attended a casting call last week for movie extras for “Chiraq,” Spike Lee held a press conference on Thursday at St. Sabina Church for the movie ” set to film in Chicago. Lee was joined by Father Michael Pfleger, actor and Evanston native John Cusack, and parents of children who were victims of gun violence in Chicago. Lee’s film is set to highlight the gun violence that has put Chicago in the center of national attention. Lee defended the movie and its title against criticism that the movie will make Chicago be characterized as a violent city.
Lee said, “A lot of things have been said about this film, By people who know nothing about the film. A lot of people have opinions about the so-called title of the film. Again, they know nothing about the film. This is not a joke, this is not a game, this is real life and death, and that’s the way we are going to approach.” Cusack will be is working on “Chiraq” with Lee. He said, “I am 100 percent sure that the great city of Chicago can survive a film of conscience, just like it did Transformers.” Mayor Rahm Emanuel does not approve of movie’s title because he feels it denigrates residents of Englewood and surrounding areas, where the movie is expected to be filmed.
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