Spike Lee, Amazon release ‘Chi-Raq’ trailer with Samuel L. Jackson, Teyonah Parris

A trailer for Spike Lee’s latest film, “Chi-Raq,” was released Tuesday, months after the director found himself in a war of words with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel over the title, which plays on the tough streets of the city and an embattled Iraq.

The movie, centering on Chicago’s gang violence, modernizes the Greek playwright Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata,” in which the lead character and the women around her institute a sex strike to end a war. Teyonah Parris (“Dear White People,” “Mad Men”) stars as Lysistrata opposite Nick Cannon. Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Wesley Snipes and Jennifer Hudson also star.

SIGN UP for the free Indie Focus movies newsletter >>

Lee addressed the controversy with Emanuel, and others who tried to get the film shut down, in a recent interview in Chicago Magazine. The director related the film to the national conversation over gun violence and police brutality.

“The No. 1 goal of anybody involved in this film — in front of the camera, behind the camera — was to save lives,” Lee said. “Everybody involved knew that going in, and knew it even further while we were making the film. Save lives. This film is about more than Chicago. This film is about the America we are living in today.”

“Chi-Raq” is Amazon Studios’ first original movie, following its successful entry into original television programming with shows including “Transparent.” “Chi-Raq” opens in theaters Dec. 4 and will be available to Amazon Prime subscribers shortly thereafter.

Get your life! Follow me on Twitter: @TrevellAnderson.