BlacKkKlansman: Spike Lee's new film is a 'wake-up call' for the modern world

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Staying in Cannes, Spike Lee's new film about a black police officer infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s is a "wake-up call" for the modern world. The film lays into US President Donald Trump in an expletive-filled tirade. Qi Jie has the details.

Based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, who used a white body double to go undercover with the movement, the "BlacKkKlansman" has received a tonne of praise after its premiere.

The film's final scenes feature real-life footage from the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville last August, cleared for use by the mother of victim Heather Heyer, along with a video of Trump's response at the time.

SPIKE LEE, DIRECTOR "BLACKKKLANSMAN" "This film to me is a wake-up call because we've gone for the 'okey doke', walking around in a daze, and stuff is happening and it's topsy turvy and fake has been trumpeted as a truth. That's what this film is about and I know in my heart, I don't care what the critics say or anybody else, we are on the right side of history with this film."

Lee said he had finished shooting the film when the attack happened, but that he changed its ending to include the footage. Lee denounced Trump's response to the violence, calling it a missed opportunity to heal divisions while repeatedly referring to the president using profane language.

SPIKE LEE, DIRECTOR "BLACKKKLANSMAN" "Our job as filmmakers, as storytellers, was to connect this period piece to present day. What's happening now did not just pop up out of thin air."

"BlacKkKlansman" is in the running for this year's Palm D'or prize, set to be awarded on the 19th of May. QIJIE, CGTN