ON OCTOBER 16, 1996, THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH, SPIKE LEE INVITES YOU TO LIFT YOUR HEAD, RAISE YOUR VOICE AND GET ON THE BUS.

In 1995, the controversial minister Louis Farrakhan staged the Million Man March in Washington, an opportunity for the black man to show unity. It was a good idea, except for the fact that no women were allowed. Farrakhan is ultimately a rather toxic figure, but the fictional bus trip to the capital that director Spike Lee and the writer come up with is not afraid to court controversy. All kinds of characters have gotten on the bus, young and old, gay and straight, Christian and Muslim… there’s even a Republican. The set-up, a chance to discuss the black man’s role in society, is obvious but interesting to watch nevertheless. Good acting helps.

1996-U.S. 120 min. Color. Produced by Reuben Cannon, Bill Borden, Barry Rosenbush. Directed by Spike Lee. Screenplay: Reggie Rock Bythewood. Cast: Ossie Davis (Jeremiah Washington), Charles S. Dutton (George), Andre Braugher (Flip Carter), DeAundre Bonds, Albert Hall, Isaiah Washington… Bernie Mac. Cameo: Randy Quaid.

Trivia: Prominent people such as the director, the writer, Danny Glover, Will Smith and Wesley Snipes financed the film.

Last word: “Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush came up with the concept, and they got Reuben Cannon aboard, then the three of them called me. When they told me this story about these men on a bus going from L.A. to D.C. on the way to the Million Man March, it was intriguing. At the same time, I knew that we could not recreate the march. We felt that the journey was in a lot of ways more important than the destination, because everyone had seen the march on TV. The drama would come from what happens to this unique mix of individuals, this diversity of men who we feel represent African-Americans at this time. I still think that a lot of people think we’re this monolithic group, but we chose to show this isn’t the case.” (Lee, “Spike Lee: Interviews”)

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