Ryan Coogler claims Malcolm X is the "most important American film" ever made over Citizen Kane and Godfather

American director and writer Ryan Coogler recently appeared on the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast. Coogler discusses his latest project, Sinners, which recently debuted on streaming platforms. In the June 5 episode of the podcast, Ryan touched on several topics, including Sinners, Black Panther, and basketball, among others.

In a more than hour-long episode, former basketball player Carmelo Anthony was joined by co-host Kazeem Famuyide. During their conversation, when Kazeem asked him how he felt when legendary director Spike Lee, whom Ryan Coogler admires a lot, called Sinners one of the greatest cinematic experiences.

In his response, Coogler talked about Spike's impact on filmmaking. He said:

"I think that Malcolm X [Spike's movie] is the most important American film ever made. No, no question to bring up another. To mention other films that are as great as his film, you got to bring up Godfather. These are fictional characters for the most part. Uh you got to bring up Citizen Kane, which is a spin-off of a real God, but it's also fictional."

He continued,

"None of those monsters that The Godfather is based on or the guy Citizen Kane is based off. I think it's Randolph Hearst, William Randolph Hearst, or something like that, who Citizen Kane is based off of loosely. I don't think they were as important Americans as Malcolm X was.... You know, as a representation of what this country is."

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What more did Ryan Coogler discuss in the podcast?

On March 8, Spike Lee shared a post on Instagram, admiring Ryan Coogler's Sinners. In the post, Spike wrote:

"I Just Had The Greatest Experience Of Watching A Film In Years. My Brother RYAN COOGLER Invited Me To Experience His New Film SINNERS (In IMAX). His Magnificent Artistry As A Storyteller Iz On A Annudder” Level."

In the podcast, the host asked Ryan Coogler about how it felt when his inspiration Spike applauded his movie. In the response, Coogler said:

"For me to give Spike, you know, a cinematic experience, I'm just paying him back with interest, bro. You know what I mean? That S*it, you know? But it meant the world to me to hear him say that, bro. Like, you know, bro. I cried, bro. I had to hide... I was wiping tears off my eyes, bro, like I'm sitting in the IMAX theater showing Spike Lee a movie, bro. Like he likes it. Come on, bro, that's hard."

Further in the podcast, Ryan Coogler confirms that Denzel Washington will be seen in Black Panther 3. During the conversation, he shared how he always wanted to work with Denzel, whom he looked up to.

The director said:

“I've been trying to work with him since, you know, since day one. Yeah. You know, like on the list. I think he's the greatest living actor, you know what I'm saying? Um and in terms of, like what he means to our culture, forget about it, man."

Earlier, in an interview with Today in November, Denzel Washington confirmed that Coogler was writing a part for him in the next Black Panther movie.

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Ryan Coogler's Sinners, featuring Michael B. Jordan, is now available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV. As per THR, the movie will be available on HBO Max once its theatrical run is over.