Do The Right Thing : Belief & Postmodernism
Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing
Released in 1989, Do The Right Thing focused on the prevalent tension, focusing it's attention in Brooklyn, New York. The Civil Right's Movement was only history, but the Black people of Harlem still felt targeted because the only people who actually were successful in the dominantly-black town weren't even black. The whole film revolves around the central characters and their conflicting beliefs which eventually butt heads to a point where the town breaks out in a riot right outside of Sal's Pizza Shop. Spike Lee's character, Mookie, serves as the mediator for he works with the Italian Americans who run the store and he also is friends with all the Black people that keep the business successful.
Do The Right Thing: Postmodernism and Belief
Spike Lee intended the film to lead an impact on Americans as a reminder that separation and judgement between races still exists; however, analyzing the beliefs between each character is vital towards interpreting the film as a part of the postmodernist movement. Many of the characters have different beliefs, but what makes them so different is how they present themselves and how much they get to express their beliefs. Nonetheless, it is unimportant how much one speaks because everyone's beliefs are interpreted and referred to in a postmodern movement. More information on postmodernism.
Spike Lee on Do The Right Thing
When questioned about DTRT around the 20th anniversary of the movie, Spike Lee confronted Time Magazine about the good changes and the changes that have yet to be made. He talks about the significance of racism and how it has decreased over time but it still looms in society. He also talks about what he wish he could do to the film industry, such as creating more movies. Spike has been continually analyzing the most recent black history and how it has shaped our culture. His words stated in the interview reveal a possible postmodern vibe because he isn't positive as to what is going to come out of racism, a belief that is still harvested in several United States citizens; however, it is something that we are still living with and he still must create these movies so he will continue finding purpose to himself and to the belief that continues to live in the country to this date.
