Directed by:
Spike LeeCinematography:
Matthew LibatiqueComposer:
Terence BlanchardCast:
Samuel L. Jackson, Teyonah Parris, Wesley Snipes, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, David Patrick Kelly, Nick Cannon, Dave Chappelle (more)Plots(1)
In America's hip-hop scene Chicago has long been dubbed 'Chi-Raq' – a name that refers to the infamous South Side's reputation as murder capital of the USA. Between 2001 and 2015, 7,356 people died here as a result of gun violence – a 'national emergency' as director Spike Lee tells us in big red letters. However, Chi-Raq is no naturalistic drama of fate but a big, bold, witty, satirical version of Greek poet Aristophanes' classical comedy 'Lysistrata', enriched by plenty of music. After street wars between the rival gangs of the Trojans and the Spartans once again lead to the deaths of children and adolescents, a group of women, led by the beautiful Lysistrata, decides to combat the spiralling violence with feminine guile and woman power. A sex strike is intended to force all the young black men, including Lysistrata's rapper boyfriend Demetrius Dupree, to renounce their impulsive hatred. Before long, their appeal to break the cycle of revenge spreads far beyond Chicago's borders ... (Berlinale)
(more)Cast
Samuel L. Jackson
USA
Best movies:
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Django Unchained (2012)
Goodfellas (1990)
Teyonah Parris
USA
Best movies:
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Point Blank (2019)
Chi-Raq (2015)
Wesley Snipes
USA
Best movies:
Michael Jackson: Video Greatest Hits - HIStory (1995) (video compilation)
Dangerous: The Short Films (1993) (video compilation)
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
John Cusack
USA
Best movies:
Stand by Me (1986)
Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (2012) - a.f.
Jennifer Hudson
USA
Best movies:
The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete (2013)
Dreamgirls (2006)
Angela Bassett
USA
Best movies:
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Soul (2020)
Contact (1997)
David Patrick Kelly
USA
Best movies:
K-Pax (2001)
The Crow (1994)
Wild at Heart (1990)
Nick Cannon
USA
Best movies:
Bobby (2006)
Monster House (2006)
Drumline (2002)
Dave Chappelle
USA
Best movies:
Con Air (1997)
You've Got Mail (1998)
A Star Is Born (2018)
Harry Lennix
USA
Best movies:
Ray (2004)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
All You Need is Love (2007)
Felicia Pearson
USA
Best movies:
The Family Plan (2023)
Chi-Raq (2015)
Steve Harris
USA
Best movies:
The Rock (1996)
Minority Report (2002)
North and South (1985) (series)
Isiah Whitlock Jr.
USA
Best movies:
Goodfellas (1990)
Detachment (2011)
25th Hour (2002)
Natasha Forouzannia
Best movies:
Chi-Raq (2015)
Anya Engel-Adams
Best movies:
Chi-Raq (2015)
10 Year Reunion (2016)
La La Anthony
USA
Best movies:
Think Like a Man (2012)
Street Style (2004)
Chi-Raq (2015)
Ilfenesh Hadera
USA
Roger Guenveur Smith
USA
Best movies:
American Gangster (2007)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Final Destination (2000)
Michelle Mitchenor
Best movies:
Chi-Raq (2015)
Justin Cornwell
Best movies:
We Are Boats (2018)
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Chi-Raq (2015)