Spike Lee returns to Atlanta for ‘School Daze’ screening at the Fox Theatre

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February 9th, 2026

Scene from the Spike Lee 1988 film School Daze
A scene from “School Daze” (1988), Spike Lee’s satirical look at life inside a fictional historically Black college, filmed at Atlanta’s university campuses. (Courtesy of Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks)

When “School Daze” premiered in 1988, it was controversial before most audiences ever saw it. Written and directed by Spike Lee, the satirical, music-driven film examines life at Mission College, a fictional historically Black campus, and sparked debate among HBCU leadership even before cameras rolled. 

Why ‘School Daze’ faced pushback before filming 

Original poster for Spike Lee’s 1988 film School Daze,
The original poster for School Daze, released in 1988 and directed by Spike Lee, whose screening at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre marks the filmmaker’s return to the city where the film was shot. (Courtesy of Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks)

Some administrators objected to the film’s portrayal of campus politics, colorism and internal conflict, concerns that ultimately shaped where and how the movie was filmed. 

“It wasn’t a little bit,” Lee said of the reaction at the time. He pointed to Hugh Gloster, who was then president of Morehouse College. “He refused to let us shoot on campus. Also, Spelman said, ‘Hell no.’” 

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