‘Trailblazer’ Spike Lee receives honorary Hollywood award, vows to keep going

American director Spike Lee asserted he was not going to call time on his illustrious career anytime soon as he was felicitated in a virtual ceremony by Hollywood.

Accepting the prestigious American Cinematheque Award online in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Lee praised the emergence of the “next wave” of Black filmmakers, AFP reported.

Having encapsulated audiences with his portrayal of Black America for decades, the 63-year-old vowed he has “got some more joints to make”. 

Also Read | WandaVision garners a great response from its viewers: First two episodes out on Jan 15

“If you love what you’re doing, you can delay Father Time,” he said during the ceremony, which was hosted by Jodie Foster.

Lee was exalted at the ceremony by the likes of Foster, Angela Bassett, Rosie Perez and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, who said Lee was a “trailblazer”.

In turn, Lee, who teaches film at his alma mater New York University, deflected the praise back to young Black filmmakers, including Coogler. 

“When I see the next wave come up and keep this thing going, it makes me happy,” he said. “The happiest people for the success of ‘Black Panther’ (were) you, Disney, and I was.. third.”

Both men reflected on “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman, who appeared in “Da 5 Bloods” before succumbing to cancer in August.

Also Read | Actor Armie Hammer quits upcoming film over social media scandal

The ceremony was presented by the cast of Lee’s recent movie “Da 5 Bloods”, which narrates the story of Black soldiers returning from Vietnam after decades. 

Very few actors could play the “revered” and “almost mythical” role of soldier Stormin’ Norman, said Lee.

“I love him and I miss him… even though he was only with us for a limited amount of time, he gave us so, so much,” added Coogler.

The American Cinematheque Award is a “mid-career achievement award,” with previous honourees including Al Pacino, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg.

Before accepting, Lee noted that many of his films “did not connect with the audience right away” but had been re-evaluated in recent years.

Lee received an honorary Oscar in late 2015, and won his first competitive Oscar four years later with best adapted screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman.”

Last year, he was named the first person of black African descent to preside at the Cannes film festival.