retrospect and screening by Paul Taglianetti
Faculty instructor/ Idyllwild Arts Academy
This year marks the 25th anniversary of one of the most culturally significant films of the 20th century, Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. Released by Universal Studios in the crowded summer of 1989 amid the hoopla of such popular fare as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Tim Burton's Batman, DTRT was a rarity in summer market. A film with something to say but not what everyone in the mainstream necessarily wanted to hear. It is a film that asks important questions of the viewer but gives no easy answers. It allows the viewer to be introspective about their own feelings as well as the motivations of the characters. It is a film that deals with issues of racial inequality, prejudice, hate and injustice.
The film takes place on one hot summer day in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Lee plays Mookie, an indifferent pizza delivery man working for Sal (Danny Aiello) and his two sons Pino (John Turturro) and Vito (Richard Edson). Mookie acts as a conduit to several other characters who walk in and out of the neighborhood. The film sets up various vignettes each focusing on the different characters feelings and motivations. Ultimately these characters eventually collide as the day ends and the racial tensions build.
A controversial film upon first released, the film was ignored by Academy voters during award season. Yet it stands one of the most important films of the 80's. What makes Lee's film so significant 25 years later is that it is still very relevant. Events that are depicted in the film seem to play out on a daily basis (Ferguson, MI is a recent example).
Stand out performances include veteran actors and real life husband/wife Ozzie Davis (Da Major) and Ruby Dee (Mother Sisters) as the patriarchal/matriarchal forces of the neighborhood and Giancarlo Esposito as Buggin out, the militant outspoken voice of race equality. Also interesting to note that this film marks the earliest film appearance of comedian Martin Lawrence. Sam Jackson makes one of his first film appearance as a neighbor hood DJ who is the voice of calm and reason in the growing tensions within the city.
DTRT was Lee's third feature film (after She's Gotta Have it and School Daze) and it solidified his reputation as an important film maker who emerged from the second wave of talented independent filmmakers of the 80's. A filmmaker with more than escapism and fantasy on his mind. A filmmaker with something important to show and something for you to ponder on. That seems like a rare thing these days. But the right thing, nevertheless.
LINKS:
http://www.bkmag.com/2014/08/21/watch-do-the-right-thing-cast-reunites-in-bed-stuy-for-25th-anniversary/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_the_Right_Thing
http://www.thesocialorganization.com/2009/01/just-do-the-right-thing.html
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-do-the-right-thing-20120702
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