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Amazon’s first original movie will be Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

July 15, 2015 | 2 min read

Amazon has said that its first exclusive movie to be released under its Original Movies banner will be ‘Chi-Raq’ as directed by the venerable Spike Lee.

Shot in Chicago, the e-commerce giant’s first stint on the big screen will feature a cast including Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Hudson and John Cusack.

The firm will dissect inner-city gang violence in Chicago with Ted Hope, head of motion picture production at Amazon Studios, calling it Lee’s “boldest film yet”.

“Spike Lee is one of the most distinct and visionary filmmakers of our time, it would be impossible to find a better filmmaker with whom to launch our studio,” Hope said.

On the upcoming launch, Lee said: “I’m honoured to be part of the film that will launch Amazon Studios and to tell a story that is so important. Please don’t be fooled by the title of Chi-Raq, this new Spike Lee joint will be something very special. We have assembled a stellar cast.”

First announced in January, the movie is yet to be tagged with a release date.

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