Spike Lee negotiated with a Brazilian drug lord for Michael Jackson video
The behind-the-scenes look
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CELEBRITY Michael jackson
Famed director Spike Lee is known for pushing the limits just to get the perfect shot, and a recent interview revealed just how far he's gone—including negotiating with a Brazilian drug lord.
Lee was the mastermind behind Michael Jackson's iconic music video for his 1996 hit 'They Don’t Care About Us,' which was filmed in a Rio de Janeiro slum. At the time, the small town was controlled by Márcio Amaro de Oliveira, aka Marcinho VP, a known drug lord.
“To guarantee Michael’s security, we had to speak with the drug kingpin Marcinho VP because the Brazilian police refused to climb the hills of the slum,” Lee said, according to Page Six.
He continued to explain that though he was considered a dangerous criminal, deep down he was really just a Michael Jackson fan. “He sent me a message that if we decided to make the video with Michael, we could lay $1 million on the street, and our film equipment, and no one would touch it,” Lee said. He continued to reveal how Marcinho assured him, “With Michael Jackson here, this will be the safest place in the world.”
Check out Spike Lee and Michael Jackson's music video for 'They Don’t Care About Us' below: