Director Ryan Coogler claims “Malcolm X” beats “The Godfather” or “Citizen Kane” when it comes to the most important American film ever made

Carmelo Anthony and Kazeem Famuyide recently hosted Ryan Coogler on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast.

During their conversation, the Sinners director talked about supporting his recent movie, Black Panther 3, and more. Coogler also discussed the influence Spike Lee had on him while praising his biographical drama feature Malcolm X. When the co-hosts mentioned Highest 2 Lowest, an upcoming collaboration of Lee and Denzel Washington, the Creed director revealed that he is “hyped” for the film.

Coogler enthusiastically talked about the director-actor duo, stating how everything they have done is a “masterpiece.” When Famuyide claimed that Ryan's relationship with Michael B Jordan was similar to that of Lee and Washington, the Black Panther director called it an honor to be “mentioned in the same breath as those guys.” He called the Oscar-winning legends his “heroes” and “mentors.”

Ryan Coogler was also told about how Spike Lee hailed Sinners as “the greatest cinematic experience he's had in a long time” during his last appearance on 7PM in Brooklyn. Coogler lauded the groundbreaking filmmaker for giving all of them “some of the greatest” cinematic experiences. Coogler hailed Malcolm X, saying,

“I think that Malcolm X is the most important American film ever made, no question.”

He mentioned two of the greatest films of all time – The Godfather and Citizen Kane – and stated how Spike Lee’s directorial feature was still more important.

Ryan Coogler feels Malcolm X was based on a more important American

The Godfather and Citizen Kane have aged well and are still considered among some of the best films ever made by many critics. While Ryan Coogler believes they are great films, he feels they are still not as important as Spike Lee’s Malcolm X. He explained on 7PM in Brooklyn,

“To mention other films that are as great as his film [Malcolm X], you got to bring [The] Godfather. These are fictional characters for the most part. You got to bring up Citizen Kane, which is a spin-off of a real guy, but it's also fictional.”

Coogler mentioned about the mobsters from The Godfather and the person that inspired Citizen Kane, and said,

“I don't think they were as important Americans as Malcolm X was. You know what I'm saying? Like, just in general, like what Malcolm X [the personality] is. You know, as a representation of what this country is.”

He also praised Denzel Washington, Giancarlo Esposito, Delroy Lindo, and Angela Bassett, who were part of the film. Ryan Coogler also declared Malcolm X’s opening as one of the best among Spike Lee movies, along with Do the Right Thing. He also recounted being a child when he saw the film with his father. Coogler concluded,

“For me to give Spike, you know, a cinematic experience, I'm just paying him back with interest, bro.”

For those unaware, Spike Lee appeared on 7PM in Brooklyn in April and talked about getting invited to an IMAX screening of Sinners. The award-winning filmmaker revealed that he was excited during the premiere and jumped like he was at “courtside" of an NBA game. Spike Lee agreed that Coogler and Jordan share a dynamic akin to the one between him and Denzel and stated, “Yeah, they’re doing that thing, too.”

Spike Lee also declared during the conversation that Sinners “is going to be very successful,” which eventually happened. He also asserted that “we need this film,” while commending Ryan Coogler for making an original movie. The Sinners director is currently working on The X-Files reboot, which he confirmed in April on Last Podcast On The Left.

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Coogler will also direct Black Panther 3, which will star Denzel Washington. Ryan confirmed the involvement of the American Gangster actor on 7PM in Brooklyn.

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