Alamo Drafthouse is set to honor acclaimed director Spike Lee by dedicating its newly renovated downtown Brooklyn theater in his name.
There will be a special screening of Lee’s semi-autobiographical 1994 film Crooklyn and a live Q&A following the dedication ceremony on Thursday (September 12). During the private event, the theater will be officially renamed the Spike Lee Cinema.
A plaque will be unveiled, reading: “Like many of the greatest films over the past 40 years, this theater is a Spike Lee Joint. From his nuanced portrayals of Brooklyn life in Do the Right Thing and Crooklyn to his towering portrait of Malcolm X, his vision has shaped our culture and left an indelible mark on this city.”
The dedication highlights Lee’s lasting influence on Brooklyn and New York as a whole. This event coincides with the theater’s recent upgrade and expansion. The upgraded auditoriums feature premium leather recliners with personal swivel tables for in-seat food and drink service, a hallmark of the Alamo Drafthouse experience.
Michael Kustermann, Alamo Drafthouse CEO, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the tribute, stating, “After completing this massive upgrade to our Brooklyn location, we knew immediately that we wanted to dedicate it to Spike Lee. His films have defined Brooklyn for generations, and we’re immensely proud to do our part to honor that legacy.”
There will be a retrospective series of Lee’s work at the newly renamed Spike Lee Cinema. Crooklyn will be screened on September 17, Mo’ Better Blues on September 21, Jungle Fever on September 22, Do the Right Thing on September 28, Clockers on September 29, and Inside Man on October 6.
During this programming, Lee’s significant contributions to film and his deep connection to Brooklyn will be celebrated.
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are currently filming “High and Low,” in which Ice Spice will make his acting debut. The upcoming film is an English-language reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller High and Low, in partnership with A24 and Apple.