The scene Spike Lee wants to delete from history: “That should’ve never been in there”
Spike Lee is no stranger to controversy, with a long list of comments and feuds that have marked him as one of the most outspoken filmmakers, never hesitating to speak his mind on the matters most pressing in Hollywood today. From the suspenseful exploration of racial tension and injustice in Do The Right Thing and the whip-smart, satirical humour of BlacKKKlansman, Lee has translated this quality into his films, with stories that don’t flinch away from heavy and complex issues, always with a biting tone that hits the nail on the head. However, while he’s made many bold statements about Hollywood in the past, he has also reflected on his own mistakes and regrets, highlighting one scene in particular.
While the impact of Do The Right Thing was what really put Lee on the map, the power of his earlier film She’s Gotta Have It in 1986 cannot be understated, following a woman called Nola Darling and her relationships with three men in her life. Each of them wants her to commit to just them, while she is reluctant to give up her freedom, and prefers to date all of them. It was truly ahead of its time in its portrayal of a Black woman who has sexual agency and freedom, with Lee criticizing the men who each try to ‘own’ her and limit this freedom.
However, when speaking about the film now, Lee has expressed regret over one scene that is included in the film’s original cut, saying, “We’re talking about She’s Gotta Have It. People always ask me if there’s one thing I could take back, a do-over. The first thing I say is the rape scene in the original film from 1986. So I’ll apologize again right here. That should’ve never been in there.”
Upon its release, the inclusion of this rape scene was heavily criticised by many, including the infamous feminist theorist Bell Hooks. The scene initially happens towards the end of the film, which was incredibly problematic given the fact he wanted to focus on female sexuality in a positive and empowering way.
After Nola is Assaulted, her partner slut shames her and says it is because she has multiple partners, wanting to punish her for this liberation that Lee is supposedly celebrating. Perhaps what was even more troubling was the aftermath of the assault, in which Nola told her attacker that she wanted to be with him.
He expanded on his regret over the scene by saying, “It was just totally…stupid. I was immature. It made light of rape, and that’s the one thing I would take back. I was immature and I hate that I did not view rape as the vile act that it is. I can promise you, there will be nothing like that in She’s Gotta Have It, the TV show, that’s for sure.”
When Netflix later produced the film as a series, many speculated whether this scene would be too controversial for the clean-cut streaming platform, and unsurprisingly, the scene was cut. While many filmmakers wouldn’t own up to their mistakes and oversights in their work, Lee’s open regret and accountability is something that more directors should take note from, and realise the impact of their work on wider culture and conversations.
