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| Ron and Patrice |
Spike Lee's latest — and Cannes Grand Prix winning — directorial effort, "BlacKkKlansman," tells the true story of Ron Stallworth, the first African American detective to join the Colorado Springs Police Department in the '70s. Based on his book, "Black Klansman: A Memoir," the near-incredible tale follows Stallworth (played by John David Washington) infiltrating and becoming a card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan.
While set in the '70s, the film's political commentary, exploration of social injustice, police brutality and portrayal of racial terrorism specific to the U.S.A. feels very 2018 — and that's the point. "The biggest thing we wanted was to put stuff in the script, very strategically, so it would not be a period piece," the legendary director told reporters at Cannes in May, via the Los Angeles Times. (True to Lee's talents and vision, the movie is also a thrilling — and, at times, bitingly and satirically funny — detective adventure.)
But the production itself, including the rich palette of costumes by Marci Rodgers, stayed meticulously authentic to the time period, including Ron's first undercover assignment attending a speech by Kwame Ture (formerly Stokely Carmichael and played by Corey Hawkins). On his way into the gathering, Ron meets and is understandably impressed by Colorado College Black Student Union leader Patrice Dumas (Laura Harrier). The moving speech was inspired by real life talks given by the civil rights activist and former Black Panther leader (and beautifully shot by cinematographer Chayse Irvin, who also worked on part of Beyoncé's "Lemonade").
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