Spike Lee Watches 'Crooklyn' In Fort Greene Park Alongside Neighbors

BROOKLYN, NY — Hundreds of New Yorkers gathered in Fort Greene Park Thursday night to watch a free outdoor showing of "Crooklyn" — including Spike Lee.

Standing in front of a huge local crowd, the director-slash-producer introduced his semi-autobiographical film and recalled growing up in Brooklyn.

"This film is about a Black family that's going through the trials and tribulations," he said in a video recorded by Brooklyn Magazine, one of the sponsors of the outdoor movie series.

"Of all the films I've done in the last four decades, believe it or not, 'Crooklyn' is the one people come up to me and say that is their favorite film."

Set in Bed-Stuy in 1973, "Crooklyn" follows the five Carmichael siblings through a challenging summer during which their mother is diagnosed with, and ultimately succumbs to, cancer.

Much like the family in the film, Lee came to age in Brooklyn in the 1970s and was raised his father after his mother died of cancer.

Two of his own three siblings helped co-write the screenplay for "Crooklyn."

Lee's production studio was located in Fort Greene for over two decades, but it's since been sold to a car-collector. Lee himself is also no longer a neighborhood resident, having moved to the Upper East Side several years ago.

Thursday's showing in Fort Greene Park — where a scene from the film is actually shot — is part of a free outdoor movie series presented by Showtime, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Magazine and the Fort Greene Park Alliance this July.

"Crooklyn" is the third of four films in the series, followed by a showing of "Clue" on July 28.

In August the series will return to Prospect Park, where it's been organized for several years.