'25th Hour,' like a lot of my films, takes place in New York City. I've been very fortunate to make films in the city that I live. I mean, it's great going home at night instead of being on location.

I'd like to state that Spike Lee is not saying that African American culture is just for black people alone to enjoy and cherish. Culture is for everybody.

I've been blessed with the opportunity to express the views of black people who otherwise don't have access to power and the media. I have to take advantage of that while I'm still bankable.

My cousin Malcolm Lee is also a filmmaker.

And one thing Hollywood does well is sequels.

We're the most violent nation on earth. There's no getting away from that. But you've got to look at it on a broader level.

Fight the power that be. Fight the power.