Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee made a delightful revelation during his recent tribute at the Mill Valley Film Festival, unexpectedly remembering a forgotten San Francisco project from 2004 called “Sucker Free City”. While on stage with longtime collaborator Delroy Lindo, Lee humorously struggled to recall the film’s exact details, even asking audience members to help him search its IMDB listing.

The little-known film, which never became a full series, was originally conceived as a Showtime pilot exploring the complex urban dynamics of San Francisco. Written by San Francisco native Alex Tseas, the project delved into intricate narratives surrounding street gang interactions between white, Black, Latino, and Asian communities.

Despite never becoming a full series, “Sucker Free City” tackled profound themes of urban displacement, examining specific San Francisco contexts like the historical formation of Chinatown, the Navy’s departure from Hunters Point, and the ongoing challenges faced by artists being priced out of neighborhoods like the Mission.

Lee’s nostalgic moment at the festival highlighted a pivotal childhood memory that shaped his filmmaking career. He shared a touching anecdote about a neighbor who gifted him a Super 8 film camera, crediting this seemingly small gesture as a transformative moment in his artistic journey.

“I say my prayers and blessings when I go to bed every night because it could have gone this way or that way,” Lee reflected. “It wasn’t a straight path, and if I did not go see my neighbor that day, I would not be here. You would never have heard Spike Lee”.

The tribute at the Mill Valley Film Festival not only celebrated Lee’s extensive filmography but also unexpectedly resurrected a forgotten piece of San Francisco cinematic history, reminding audiences of the city’s rich and diverse storytelling traditions.