Spike Lee Says New Film 'Red Hook Summer' Touches on Gentrification

Lee supported last night's Urbanworld Film Festival

At last night's Urbanworld Film Festival, Brooklynites including Spike Lee, Chris Rock and Maxwell came out to support the opening night film George Nelson's "Brooklyn Boheme."

One section of the film focuses on Lee's influence on Fort Greene through his films by bringing actors, musicians and writers to his firehouse, the headquarters for his production company 40 Acres and a Mule. Brooklyn also had a major influence on the filmmaker.

"Well, it's where I grew up. It's where everything started, " Lee told Loop 21. "All you have to do is look at 'Do The Right Thing.' Look at the films."

The 54-year-old director will also switch roles and get back to acting in his latest film "Red Hook Summer," due out in 2012. Lee will reprise the role of Mookie in the movie that depicts an Atlanta resident's transition to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. Still, Lee is mum on further details on the film, which is currently in post-production, saying, "It'll be out next summer. It's a new Spike Lee Joint."

When pressed further, Lee said the film is centered around one word: "Gentrification!"