BAMBOOZLED

Q: What attracted you to this character?

Audio Answer

Q: Was there a line that you said you wouldn't cross or is that the nature of this film that there is no line?

No. There was never a line. That's what was appealing to me about the character. I don't think he's a satire because I really think that a lot of the things he says are based in reality. Because there are people that are walking around nowadays because of the integration of hip hop into mainstream white society that have taken on this "I know everything, I'm down". There was never anything I was afraid of doing. I pushed it farther than I think Spike even had written and he wrote it pretty far out. And I think he wanted that. He liked some of the stuff that I added and I was excited by the amount of uncensoredness of the character.

Q: Do you know anyone like this?

I don't know anybody specifically like this. I know a couple of people that are in the vein of this character. People that have approached me or people that I've met that are fans of mine that come up to me a sorta think that we're on the same wavelength or whatever. I like playing the character. I don't like the character necessarily but I liked playing the character. It was a lot of fun to play.

Q: Did Spike give you any background as to where he was going? Was it clear from the script?

It was clear from the script that this was a film that could be controversial. But it was never like, "We're going out to be controversial or we're going out to be provocative". We knew from what was on the page what kind of film it was going to be and as we went along in the shooting with the blackface, you knew what it was. I think that the film takes it even further and is even more poignant with the visuals than even reading it.

Q: When you get approached by Spike Lee to do a film, don't you assume there will be some controversy attached?

I don't think all of his movies are controversial. With Summer of Sam, there was some controversy about something that happened with the press. But the film itself is not a controversial movie. Mo Better Blues wasn't a controversial movie. Most of his films are not controversial. Like Clockers isn't controversial. There is controversy surrounding Spike about things that he has said or that have been taken out of context, etc. It's not like I expect it... he sort of has the reputation of having things get stirred up but it's not like he's walking around starting fights. I think the whole thing with Summer of Sam was that someone asked him, "What was it like directing white actors?" and he should have gotten upset because no one would ask Martin Scorcese "What's it like directing black actors?".

Q: Describe the film...

I think it's a dark satire about the television industry and on the state of entertainment today. The movie is extremely funny. I think there is a lot of humor in it from a lot of different areas. Even the stuff that's offensive is funny. I think the Mos' Def character is funny. I think my character is funny. I think the television show in the movie is funny although I think you have to stop and think, "What am I laughing at?"

Q: We've been educated not to laugh at so many things that are presented in this movie as being funny. Do you think the audience may have some baggage they bring to this film?

I think that's why a few newspapers won't run the ad for the film. But they will run the ad for American History X with the guy with the swastika on his chest. There is a reason why someone in charge of ad-running finds that okay but won't run our ads. I don't see anything wrong with our ads. I think it's people's own guilt and own insecurities about racial issues and racism that would make some people laugh or not have the ability to laugh. Not know 'is this funny' or 'can I laugh' because I know everyone in the cast thinks the movie is really funny.

Q: What was it like working with Spike Lee?

I think actors and myself like working with people like Spike that respect the actors and give you freedom, not like you're doing a puppet show where someone says "Stand here. Say that. Walk away. Now say this". You know, there is a freedom. Especially in the way this movie was shot in digital video. There is an enormous amount of freedom because of the amount of cameras that were used in each set-up - there are so many cameras. And the lighting... there isn't such an emphasis on lighting.