Spike Lee raises USD 1.25 through crowdfunding

Los Angeles: `Oldboy` director Spike Lee has reached his goal of raising USD 1.25 million through crowdfunding website Kickstarter for his new project. The celebrated director launched his campaign on July 21, giving himself a month`s time to collect the desired funds. Lee reached the mark with about one week left in his campaign on Friday, said Hollywood Reporter.

The director won`t charge himself a fee for directing the movie, which would be about "human beings who are addicted to Blood. Funny, Sexy and Bloody. A new kind of love story (and not a remake of Blacula)." Lee was criticised for using Kickstarter as the platform is generally for struggling filmmakers, who seek funding help to realise their dream. The director, however, defended his campaign. "I understand why people might think that, but that`s not the case at all. I`m bringing people to Kickstarter who`ve never even heard of Kickstarter," Lee said, adding his campaign will bring "a lot of people of color." The director had a number of incentives to offer for contributors. For those who contributed USD 5, Lee provides a Tweet of thanks and project updates. The incentives went up from there, ranging from an autographed DVD to a phone call from Lee and -- for a contribution of USD 10,000 -- a day on set and in the edit bay with Lee. Director`s friend Steven Soderbergh too contributed by donating USD 10,000 which means he will get to spend a day with Lee at a game and dinner. PTI