About 4 Little Girls

"4 Little Girls" is a powerful documentary film directed by Spike Lee. It tells the poignant story of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which led to the death of four African-American girls aged between 11 and 14. The movie excellently profiles the lives of the four young victims, painting a legacy of promise and potential disheartened by hate. With the use of photos, news footage and interviews, Lee awakens in the viewers the cruel reality of racism in that era.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Spike Lee and Sam Pollard. Lee uses archival footage and conducts interviews with friends, family members, and key civil rights leaders to build a narrative about the devastating event and the significant impact it had on the civil rights movement.

Actors

• Maxine McNair as Herself - Chris' Mother: Maxine McNair gave a heart-rending portrayal of a mother mourning the loss of her beloved daughter, Chris.
• Chris McNair as Himself - Chris' Father: Chris McNair expressed the raw grief of a father who has lost his child in a strikingly honest way that touched hearts of viewers.
• Howell Raines as Himself - New York Times: As a representative of the New York Times, Raines added an authoritative voice to the narrative and helped in shedding light on the incident from a media perspective.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The urgent message of "4 Little Girls" resulted in a revival of the case, leading to the conviction of the remaining culprits in 2001 and 2002.
• This was Spike Lee's first feature documentary film.
• Bill Cosby's daughter, Erika, was the one to suggest Spike Lee make a film about it.

Awards

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1997.

Quotes

• "The bombing caused people who had been sitting on the sidelines to get involved. It was a senseless, heinous act, but it was a catalyst." - Andrew Young
• "Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance." - Dr. J. Herman Blake

Music, Soundtrack

• HBO released a companion soundtrack to the documentary. It featured several songs, including original recordings by the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Terence Blanchard. The music is used throughout the film to enhance the emotional resonance of the events being portrayed.