Cinema Lexzikon Productions LLC is a Columbus, Ohio based independent film
production company. This production company is devoted to the production of
quality action and adventure films. Our goal, since the late 1980's, has been to
make the midwest a center for independent film production. We have come to
realize that not everyone wants to go to Hollywood to make their dream come
true.


WILLIAM LEE

President/ CEO of

CINEMA LEXZION




CINEMA LEXZIKON'S first foray into the worldwide video distribution market
came in 2001, with the worldwide release of EDGE OF TOLERANCE. Although
William Lee had produced films and video since his teen years, it was not until
EDGE OF TOLERANCE that he got his first taste of the "big time".














In the 1990’s, the new “black film renaissance” in independent film production
had just gotten its impetus, from filmmakers like Spike Lee. Unfortunately for
William Lee, audiences expected "black films" from "black filmmakers".

William Lee was not easy to pigeonhole into the "new black filmmaker" paradigm.
In fact, Lee did everything he could not to fit a preconceived notion.

A child of the 1970’s martial arts wave, Lee’s films kept a single aim: to produce
high powered, well written, unusual action and adventure films. A noble venture
indeed, however such integrity did not translate into quick success or millions
of dollars in revenue.

Instead of giving in to “trends”, and making films that “fit a stereotype”, Lee and
Cinema Lexzikon obtained a worldwide distribution deal for the release of EDGE
OF TOLERANCE in 2001. The hard to find VHS version of EDGE OF TOLERANCE is
now available at AMAZON.COM.
CINEMA LEXZIKON PRODUCTIONS LLC
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The film was produced in 1991, with a
world premiere in 1993. It was not until
2001 that the film got release. Testament
to the difficulties involved with indie film
distribution. It is one thing to make a
movie. Quite another to get it into the
world market.
During the 1980's Lee's mind was set
on martial arts oriented films, never
really exploring his total creative
potential. While the fight scenes were
praised by the production team for
Jackie Chan, Lee felt something was
missing. After graduating with two
advanced degrees in film, Lee moved
toward creating his own "genre" as it
were, using intelligent story lines to
carry the action as opposed to all out
fist fights and mayhem....however,
LEE never forgot what made action
films exciting...
THE HISTORY...GUERILLA FILMMAKING AT IT'S FINEST!

The world of independent filmmaking shows small pity and quickly forgets a loser. Many directors start out with a
vision and camera, and end up staring at reels of film on the floor with yet another distributor’s rejection letter lying
next to them. It is discouraging, and many independent directors stop filming after one or two projects fail to be
completed or acquire needed distribution. Only those with tenacity and conviction survive in an industry where
giving up is an accepted business practice.  William Lee is a survivor. An independent film director for twenty-seven
years, he has known how difficult it is to make a film with little financial backing and huge amounts of unasked-for
advice. His passion for what he does has kept him moving forward in the face of staggering challenges. “I’ve always
known that the motion picture industry was rough,” says Lee, but I was confident that if I worked hard at it, I would
succeed. Let’s face it, doing work that you hate, even if it pays well is rougher. I love filmmaking. I have always had a
passion for movies, and I decided early on that film would be the focus of my life.”





























WILLIAM LEE choreographs grueling action scenes  in 1984's

DRAGON VS. NINJA


His career behind the camera goes back to his teen years,

BORN IN NEW YORK, Lee's father A World War two veteran and aircraft engineer moved the family
westward when William was 6 years old, but not way out west, as in La La land (rumor has it that Lee's father was a
staunch New yorker who hated phoniness and superficiality, ahem.)

AFTER seeing kung fu legend, and martial arts movie legend BRUCE LEE on screen for the first time in 1974, Lee
asked his father to purchase a movie camera so that he might "replicate" the famous martial artists' exploits--albeit
on a smaller scale. Within a year of picking up a movie camera, lee received his first film award at the Eye Music
Festival of San Francisco. Since then, he has directed over thirty film projects. In 2006, he completed what may be his
most controversial pic ever; CODE: BLACK.


























But the story doesn't end there! In the fall of 2007, lee will complete his most challenging film ever; DEMONS
RISING. An action/horror epic min which Lee gets back to his cinematic roots: martial arts and scaring the hell out
of his audiences.






















“I would have directed quite a few more films if I had had the financial backing,” Lee explains. “But, sad to say, a lot of
done deals unraveled before I saw a penny. Most of my work has been financed with my own sweat and what little
cash I could scrape together.” The lack of sufficient money did not mean that he produced poor quality. He continued
to direct martial arts films, learning from mistakes and showing noticeable improvement with each new effort. His film
“Edge of Tolerance” premiered in both Columbus and Chicago, and he was able to secure a national distribution for
the film. Additionally, he appeared in HBO’s “Super Fights” and became known as a hard working, serious,
filmmaker. Unfortunately, in spite of his growing reputation as a talented director, the color of his skin remained a
problem as investors showed a lack of confidence in the ability of an African-American to direct a produce a money
making film. He constantly had to turn to friends and family for financial backing.






















Determination and persistence are the heart and soul of William Lee. These qualities were ultimately tested by a
challenge that would shatter a lesser man. As if what he had endured before was not daunting enough, Lee had to
deal with something far worse than the usual backstabbing of the movie industry: life-threatening cancer-like
Systemic Lupus. Diagnosed in 1997, the disease required him to undergo surgery, treatment with experimental
drugs, and chemotherapy for the better part of two years. In addition to substantial weight loss, Will Lee was forced
to contend with a gaping hole in his side, and physical debilitation that resulted in lengthy periods during which a
wheel chair was his only way of getting around. In spite of the intense pain and temporary setbacks, he eventually
forced a miracle. The affliction that once placed his life in jeopardy is now in remission, and he is a fully functioning
member of the community: a testimony to medical advances and his own desire to live. Having overcome the danger,
but realizing there is no cure for the disease, this Lupus survivor today smiles at the memory of the experience.



























“It had me down, but I was never out. No way was that going to happen. I met death head on, eyeball to eyeball, and
made it blink. No illness is going to take me without a fight. Let me tell you, I never give up. I won’t give up.”  

"You know, I’m a long distance type of runner. I’ve stayed in the race when others fell down. I’ll be there, ahead of
the crowd, when they stretch that tape across the finish line. Success is hard earned, but it smells So sweet when
you finally reach it.”



As do the roses waiting for the winner.

< article written by Harlow Keith, CLP P.R.>
CODE BLACK WAS A film created in the
atmosphere of a highly visible, yet
sometimes offensive Hip Hop culture. Lee
says the film uses the exploitive elements
of urban gang warfare, to create
controversy and maybe even teach a
lesson --all the while entertaining mass
audiences. Lee says "it's about the O.G.'s
versus the new young bucks on the
block. It's about divide and conquer, and
how black people kill each other with no
thought of the future. Now, you can take
that lesson and run with it, or just enjoy
the film as a great gangster film."
After spending most of 1997 in a
wheelchair, following two
operations and two years of
chemo, Lee reforged his mind
and body. The results speak for
themselves, don't they?
“Hollywood always seems to look for a
lifestyle niche movie from a minority
director: ghetto life, the hip-hop scene
or something like that. I’m not that way. I
am more into filming the human being
as a living whole, and not some
cardboard stereotype. The development
of the hero Within a movie, how this
person meets and overcomes
obstacles, is a primary interest of mine
and is reflected in the scripts I write.”
Counter
BIG NEWS FANS!
After producing five feature films in five
years, Cinema Lexzikon has made a major
step into the world wide film market. As of
November 2007,
A contractual agreement between Cinema
Lexzikon and
YORK ENTERTAINMENT of Los Angeles,
California has been finalized!

CODE : BLACK
WILL BE RELEASED
worldwide on APRIL 22, 2008!
SEE our LATEST NEWS SECTION FOR
MORE DETAILS!
WILLIAM LEE AND RAP STAR
COOL REY(R)
AT THE CODE BLACK RELEASE PARTY
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