Do the Right Thing - Fight the Powers that Be

Spike Lee's film Do the Right Thing (1989) is once again at the forefront of the Film Institute.  I hope our

students who viewed the film found it enlightening.  I have always loved this film.  The film tells the story of one block in Brooklyn which becomes the locus for many of the major problems of the 1980's:   racial relations, equality, oppression, violence vs. nonviolence, and human nature - all encapsulated in a 24 hour period.  There are many interpretations of the film - its metaphors and symbolism.  An idea I like is the concept of voice - who is being heard in the film and our society?  What message is the film trying to put forth?  What is Mookie's solution?    How does our society limit or stifle certain messages?  How does the film reflect the issues that plague America, and seem to be unsolvable?

Racism is the major theme.  One definition I found seems useful according to Albert Memmi,  "the generalized and final assigning of values to real or imaginary differences, to the accuser's benefit, and at his victim's expense, in order to justify the former's own privilege or aggression".  Keep this in mind as you analyze the film.

Birth of a Nation Essay is Due Friday 10/18


Assignment for Wednesday 10/23:

1)  Does Mookie 'do the right thing' when he throws the trashcan through the window?
What does this mean?  Relate this defining moment to the rest of the film.  Lastly, what is the film's message about racial relations?

2)  How does this film "fight the powers that be.." regarding racism?  Relate to the opening sequence with Tina (Rosie Perez) - what other forms of oppression are being attacked?  

3)  Most of the time the hero in film (and other media) have defined goals and move toward them in a linear fashion.  Is this true of Mookie?  What is his goal if he has one?  If he doesn't have one - what does the film focus on?  


Here's Spike Lee talking about DTRT back in '09:

Here's Spike Lee's latest:

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/08/210218261/spike-lee-doing-the-right-thing-for-himself


Here's the Love/Hate original from Night of the Hunter:

Do the Right Thing Assignments

The following articles shall be used to complement our viewing of Do the Right Thing. Journals, both when collected and when checked for completion, will be graded for both English and history.

The first, reaction will be Journal #11, is about Tyler Perry and his audience. The second, coupled with your general "review" or reaction about the movie (remember: reviews are based on preference, not analysis, trust me, that will come later) to be labeled as Journal #12.

The film will be finished on Tuesday (you have triple media on Monday). Wednesday, journals will be checked. If they're done, we will watch The Messenger. If not (and let's face it...), we will begin a writing workshop (which will occur on the following Monday if you do succeed).