Italian-American group criticizes Lee film

ROME, June 14 (UPI) -- Noted Hollywood director Spike Lee tends to unfairly portray Italians in his films, an Italian-American group alleges.

Italic Institute of America President Bill Dal Cerro said Lee, who criticized fellow director Clint Eastwood for not using black actors in his movies, has routinely used his own alleged prejudices to effect how he portrays Italian-American characters, The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday.

"Spike Lee is very talented, but I sometimes wish he'd practice what he preaches," Dal Cerro said. "His points about African-Americans are well taken, but, ironically, he does the same thing to Italians in his films."

The group specifically pointed out Lee's movies "Do the Right Thing" and "Jungle Fever" as alleged offenders of such cultural stereotypes, the Reporter said.

The group also told the newspaper its members were concerned with how Lee will portray Italian-Americans in his upcoming film "Miracle at St. Anna."