Are Black Filmmakers Hating on Tyler Perry?
What filmmaker has had 5 movies open up number one at the box office in the last 4 years? Spielberg, Scorsese, Tarantino? Nope, Tyler Perry, a black man. 8 films with a gross of over 400 MILLION dollars.
So why are some African-American filmmakers such as Spike Lee and John Singleton criticizing him for his work?
On Perry’s work, the well-respected filmmaker and double Oscar Nominee Spike Lee says:
“I think there is alot of stuff that’s out today that’s coonery and buffoonery. I see ads for “Meet The Browns” and “House of Payne” and I’m scratching my head. We got a black president and we are going back. The image is troubling and it harken back to Amos & Andy.”
On Perry’s “Madea” character, the remarkably talented filmmaker John Singleton says:
“There’s nothing but comedies, and I’m tired of all these Black men in dresses. Every other movie has a Black man in a dress, from the Madea movies to Norbit to Big Momma. How come nobody’s protesting that? They call them family movies, and nobody’s telling the little kids that it’s kind of different for a man wear a dress. I’m just saying that it comes to a point where, if that’s the only types of images they’re seeing, how is that informing upon Black men in America? It’s as if all we can do is make people laugh and play basketball.”
I must admit that Lee and Singleton have some valid points in their argument. I even questioned myself on the “bufoonery-like” characters I created in my first film. But is there a such thing as the perfect black film?
It’s a fact that people will always have their opinions in regards to the so-called black film experience but do black filmmakers have a right to publicly criticize each other? Or is this a subtle form of “hating” on their part? Or perhaps these filmmakers are simply passionate in their own beliefs?
I’m a Tyler Perry fan but I do not watch “House of Payne” and have never seen an episode of “Meet the Browns.” Not necessarily interested. I enjoy Madea but haven’t quite caught up with her latest movie. My Netfix copy has been in my computer’s DVD drive for over 2 months now. Haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I haven’t seen all of Tyler Perry’s films, in fact, maybe 3, but it doesn’t mean I don’t respect the man for his work and creative intelligence. I highly respect Spike Lee and John Singleton as well. Tyler, Spike, and John are all brilliant filmmakers. However, it must be understood that each filmmaker started their respected careers by creating films from their own experiences. Shouldn’t the truth be told regardless of the positive or negative experiences of the filmmaker? Shouldn’t a filmmaker have a right to reveal whatever he pleases in his films?
There may be some valid points regarding the buffoonery-like characters in Tyler Perry’s projects but one can also argue about the exploitation of black-on-black crime that was depicted in Singleton’s “Boyz N’ the Hood” which caused quite a national uproar its opening day. Another enjoyable to watch and very successful film, mind you.
One can criticize Spike for his prejudice against whites and Italians in some of his early films. Should we judge Spike for this? Nope. This was and is his reality; this was HIS experience. Let the truth be told.
Lastly, in all of his omnipotence and omniscience, should we criticize God for creating the devil, Satan himself and placing him in the most successful selling book of all time? No, because it’s HIS story. Interestingly enough, men were used to create the stories of the bible. It is in our divine nature to create stories whether you choose to like or believe those stories or not.
Everyone has a voice and a story to tell (just go to Youtube.com) even if its only to amuse you by way of “exaggerated comedy” such as in a sitcom. We do not have to agree with everyone’s story but should we judge it?
Indeed, it would be refreshing to see a more diversified style of films from African-American filmmakers in the mainstream media but this is easier said than done. Even if accomplished, we can be sure that those projects will also be judged both positively and negatively from its own African-American community, creative colleagues and peers.
It is amazing to me how we criticize each other. I do have a great deal of respect for Spike and John, but I was not crazy about their movies either. Spike’s best to me was Miracle at St. Anas and Malcom X. He made a great deal of movies that followed the stereotype. I am a black female that grew up in the south, but not in the hood with all the dysfunction that is displayed in his movies. Again, Spike drew from his experiences in life. Where I didn’t recognize any of my family in most of Spike’s movies, I do recognize many in Tyler’s movies. What make these characters funny to me is that I can identify.
I will admit that when the plays first started to circulate, I refused to watch them, because I saw the same bufoonery, but again I had never watched them.
In Tyler’s movies I don’t see how they can’t see the love, commitment, support, and family. Not to mention the advice and straight talk.
Tyler’s movies are spiritual based and the other two have been street-life based and it depends on who you are and your background as to which you identify with the most.
I do respect Spike and John most of all for getting out there and making it happen by any means necessary, and that is exactly what Tyler is doing. It is just that he Blew Up much larger, much quicker, and on his own terms.
Nobody criticized Mel Brooks for his Jewish humor. Nobody criticized Jackie Chan for doing martial arts comedies. Huh?
Of course — if Tyler wants a good drama or action thriller or romcom to produce… I got the scripts.