Political Film Spotlight: Do the Right Thing
Details
Join movie club members David & Rob for the next film in our Political Films series with "Do the Right Thing" by Spike Lee. Here's how it works:
- We'll meet at Lucky Lab in SE at 4pm (map), we'll have a sign at our table (be sure to check outside just in case the weather is nice).
- Grab a drink and we'll spend some time discussing the film with us (NOTE: Just like a book club, we watch the movie before we meet, streaming links below).
Movie Spotlight: Do the Right Thing
"Do the Right Thing" is a 1989 film written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee. Set in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn on the hottest day of the summer, the film depicts simmering racial tensions that eventually erupt into violence. The story revolves around Mookie, a pizza delivery man who works for Sal's Famous Pizzeria, where the Italian-American owners have a strained relationship with the predominantly Black neighborhood. Tensions escalate throughout the day, fueled by casual racism, police brutality, and the scorching heat. The film culminates in a tragic confrontation, leaving the audience to ponder the complex societal issues Lee has laid bare.
"Do the Right Thing" was widely acclaimed for its deft handling of charged subject matter and its authentic portrayal of urban life. The film received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Danny Aiello. It won the Grand Prix of the Belgian Film Critics Association and the Award of the Youth at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. In 1999, it was deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. The film cemented Spike Lee's reputation as a bold and uncompromising filmmaker willing to tackle difficult social issues head-on.
About Political Films
This series is based on the New Republic article, "The 100 Most Significant Political Films of All Time" published in June 2023 and is a comprehensive list of films that speak to our relationships with government, war, bureaucracy, politics and politicians, crime, propaganda, classism, and more. The list is not intended to be a collection of the 'best' films, but the most significant (although many of them are also very good). Some of these films can be a challenging watch, I'd suggest www.doesthedogdie.com for content warnings.
Tips:
- Haven't seen the movie in a while? You're in for a treat - try to watch the movie sometime before we meet (Streaming Options). Just like a book club we don't watch the movie at our meetup, just discuss it. You don't have to watch the movie to join us, but it'll be more fun if you can.
- I usually take a few notes while I watch to keep from forgetting the most interesting stuff. If you think of some interesting discussion topics while you watch, bring 'em with you!
- We'll decide on our next political film to watch! Take a look at the list linked below for options on the next film.
Movie Resources:
Political Film Spotlight: Do the Right Thing