The Pestle

Podcast,
69 MINS

Ep 139: “Do The Right Thing”

March 16, 2021

We sweat through Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing” and discuss:

  • cinematography, how the infamous title sequence sets the style for the movie;
  • writing & story, rich characters and complex relationships;
  • bring in special guest Kei, screenwriter, podcaster, New Yorker;
  • and other such stuff and things and stuff.

I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles. – Nelson Mandela

Notes & References:
Kei is on instagram @heykeihaynes
Listen to Kei & Clyde’s “This is us” podcast on Apple Podcasts, or find all their podcasts on Instagram @keiandclyde

Watch us on YouTube!


We can see on the wall the shadow of the lettering on the window: “SAUSA”, carefully carved into an open space devoid of pictures and framed in the window pane shadow. Contextually, I’d say this is a reference comparing apartheid in South Africa with American racism, or at least Sal’s own line in the sand between honoring Sal’s own people while accepting the business of the black community without paying homage. In effect, Sal created a segregated pizza shop through his choice of who to honor and who to take money from. Also consider in this very frame that Buggin Out references “Nelson Mandela”. A very subtle visual reference indeed, but I would say it’s an implication of “South Africa USA”.


This Week’s Recommendations:

 

One comment

  1. Izzy says:

    The Left Hand/Right Hand speech by Radio Raheem is the ying to Smilly’s yang. This is the heart of the story premise. They both get tossed by Sal in his way but it is Radio Raheem that ignited faster change. He only plays Public Enemy the way smiley only talks MLK/Malcolm X whike carrying the picture with the two together m. They are both needed

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