SPIKE LEE - LEE REFUTES TERRORIST INFLUENCE

LEE REFUTES TERRORIST INFLUENCE

Moviemaker SPIKE LEE has furiously defended his acclaimed film MALCOLM X from charges it inspired a US terrorist. John Walker Lindh, captured by American forces while fighting for the Taliban during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, is thought to have converted to Islam after watching the 1992 movie. But while Lee concedes this could be true, he denies the biopic of the African-American activist lured Lindh towards the Taliban. Receiving an award at the San Francisco Film Festival last week (03May07), Lee argued, "He was inspired to become a Muslim by the film, not to become a terrorist." At the same dinner, Lindh's lawyer James Brosnahan confirmed his client was impressed by a scene in the film showing all Muslims are equal under the religion. Lindh was jailed for 20 years under a plea deal in 2002.