Need to revisit Bamboozled
"When I bought this book, I didn't realize it was about just Bamboozled. Great deep dive."
Details
Published by Film Desk Books, 2022
Perfect bound softcover
First printing of 1,000 copies
129 pages
6.5x4.75 inches
“In Facing Blackness, Ashley Clark traces the contours of Bamboozled, guiding readers through Lee’s intricate representation of race, politics, and popular culture. Clark moves beyond straightforward film criticism to situate the film within a complex history of blackness and American entertainment, making a powerful argument for its ongoing relevance and vitality. Thoughtful, rigorous, and witty, Facing Blackness is a thoroughly engaging analysis of this monumental film that is imperative reading for fans of Spike Lee and cinephiles more broadly.” —Racquel Gates, author of Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Culture
“The value of Facing Blackness isn’t that Clark renders the film less challenging, but that he has thought through its implications in ways few, if any, have yet attempted. In so doing, he has shown that to understand Lee’s art, one has to deal with Bamboozled. It is, as Clark puts it, ‘the central work in Lee’s canon—the house on fire to which all roads lead.’ Facing Blackness doesn’t extinguish the fire, but rather maps the roads.” —Keith Watson, Slant Magazine
“Clark’s in-depth analysis of Bamboozled brilliantly validates and elucidates the importance of a forgotten cinematic treasure. This is essential reading for anyone interested in black film, black history, or America’s dark past.” —Kaleem Aftab, author of Spike Lee: That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It
Ashley Clark is a writer, critic and film programmer. He was born in London, lives in Jersey City, and works in Manhattan. Facing Blackness, initially published in 2015, is his first book. This revised second edition contains a new foreword.
Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 10 reviews.
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Reviews
Essential reading
"I revisited Spike Lee's 'Bamboozled' recently and it absolutely blew me away. Guess I was too young to appreciate what Spike was really doing on first watch, but I now think it's one of his very best films, not to mention one of his most important. And this terrifically insightful book by Ashley Clark reinforces everything that's great about it. Highly recommended, even if you weren't necessarily convinced by the film itself - maybe this will change your mind."
In a body of work
"In a body of work that never flinches from confrontation “Bamboozled” might be Spike Lees most challenging work. It savagely tears apart white content creators who appropriate their image of what black culture is without giving any credit to actual black people. Step & Fetch It minstrelsy and black face time if you know you know. If you dont you are the problem. Ashley Clark's book analyzes the film from every angle makes for a perfect piece of criticism. Def need to see Bamboozled for this book to make sense."
An Essential Companion to Lee's Film
"As I reflect upon my own television viewing habits, the shows that rise to the top in terms of viewing popularity at the moment I am painfully aware as I approach this review that the cast members of these shows are overwhelmingly white. They may, or may not, have a few Black characters, but perhaps that is not the point. These shows seek to reflect the national reality, or ratio, of race in America. Of course, there is a thin line between tokenism and proper balance. Let’s face it, the proper balance of representation of race in American media is a very tricky business. It is a kind of tightrope that we walk together, producers and viewers. At the turn of the millennium, Spike Lee’s attempt to suggest that tokenism and marginalization of Black people in media is, and always has been out of balance came in the form a movie that still does not have the respect it deserves. It is fraught with controversy and challenging to watch. But in light of the country’s current lurch to the right, and the rise and empowerment of White Nationalism in America, the film seems timelier than ever. It is hardcore satire dished up in a thickly slathered pancake of blackface. As the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes currently continue, perhaps all entertainers feel misused and abused. But historically, White privilege has always dominated the entertainment industry (and all industry, for that matter), and such is still the case even in 2023. The film follows writer Pierre Delacroix (Damon Wayans) as he attempts to resurrect his career in television, and boost the ratings for his network. His answer? The reinstitution of blackface and the minstrel show. A couple of street performers, Manray aka Mantan (Savion Glover) and Womack aka Sleep'n Eat (Tommy Davidson) are enlisted to host, dance and joke their way into the hearts of America with “Mantan: The New Millennium Minstrel Show.” Dancing and performing to the support of the house band, the Alabama Porch Monkeys, it becomes a hit, and suddenly America is struck with blackface fever. In his book Facing Blackness, Ashley Clark recalls the relentless derision of the critics upon its release. He provides many quotes from reviewers at the time, much of it suggesting that Lee has crossed a bridge too far, and that America is much farther along the racial divide than Lee thinks it is. In deference to those reviews from twenty-plus years ago Clark writes, “…I have come to believe that Bamboozled is in fact the central work in Lee’s canon – the house on fire to which all roads lead.” I think that house is still very much on fire, and that both the film and Clark’s book (a terrific companion to the film) are more relevant than ever (unfortunately). We have yet to come to grips with our racial history and its continued pall covering this country. As an old white guy, I think I will go to my grave never believing we are where we need to be as a country in repairing what has been broken. Every step we take forward is a plus. I think Lee’s film was, and still is, such a step forward. Watch, read and reflect."
Excellent Companion Piece...
"Bamboozled is one of the most under appreciated satires of our culture of the past decade. It holds back no punches and has been a personal favorite since VHS. Ashley Clark's book does an excellent job of expanding on the films influence and themes. A worthwhile read for anyone looking to engage further with Spike Lee's seminal satire."
Mandatory reading
"For Spike Lee fans, grabbing this book is a no-brainer. A deep dive into one of Lee’s best and most under-appreciated films."
A Great Read
"A wonderful contemplation on the concept of "Blackness" via a criminally underseen and underappreciated film by the most prolific Black filmmaker of our time."
Very Good Book!
"A very interesting book on an under seen and under appreciated film from Spike Lee. Definitely worth a read."
One of the best pieces of film analysis I've read
"Bamboozled has been a fascinating work to me for a long time. Ashley Clark's book analyzing the movie from nearly every angle is a terrific piece of criticism. You definitely have to know the movie in order to get the most out it, but it was an elucidating read even for someone who has seen it a handful of times over the past decade."
Extraordinary book!
"Extraordinary book!"