Acclaimed film director-activist Spike Lee has a new film. “CHI-RAQ” has received much criticism but judging from the two minute and 30 second trailer, none of that will change once the film hits the screen on December 4, 2015. And despite all the uproar, Lee says “Chi-Raq” is a serious film with a little comedy that’s designed to shake up the status quo. The newly released trailer doesn’t mince words, comparing Chicago to a war zone.

“People, this film is not a joke,” Lee told Chicago’s ABC7.  The film itself has been riddled with much disapproval from  Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I was clear I wasn’t happy about the title,” Emanuel said. Aldermen and other community leaders say that “Chi-Raq” puts Chicago in a negative light.Lee took to the offense stating, “I understand people from Chicago are being very sensitive, but facts are facts. New York City has three times the population, Chicago has more homicides than New York.”

Watch the trailer for “CHI-RAQ”