Do the Right Thing
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Characters
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Buggin' Out
Look familiar? You may have seen Esposito as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad:
Mister Senor Love Daddy (Samuel L. Jackson)
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Radio Raheem
Mookie
(played by Spike Lee) 
Tina
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Da Mayor
(Ossie Davis) 
Mother Sister
ML
(Paul Benjamin) 
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Sal
Pino
Vito
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Pre-Viewing
1. Read about the background to the film's release
2. CONTEXT: Look at the political situation in the USA in the late 1980s. What events may have inspired the film's exploration of racial tension?
3. CRITICAL RECEPTION: Use MRQE and online sources to explore how the film was received by film critics. Find examples from the likes of David Denby and Robert Osborne that suggested that the film may provoke real-life violence.
4. AUTEUR: Watch 3-4 trailers for other Spike Lee films and short videos on his work. Where did he study film? What are the common themes in his work? What is notable about his use of film form/style?
5. AUTEUR: Look up Spike Lee on imdb and filter his directing work by ratings. Which are his 5 top-rated films?
6. INFLUENCES: What films and filmmakers influences Spike Lee? Research and also watch one of the videos below
7. TRADEMARKS: What does 'A Spike Lee Joint' mean? What is the 'Spike Lee shot' and how is it done? Watch the Director Trademarks video below.
Spike Lee trailers
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Spike Lee - The Auteur
Educated at NYU's film school, Spike Lee is probably the most famous African-American film director. Seen as controversial and outspoken, Lee offers films that show an authentic black experience, refusing to pull his punches.
His films comment on race, sexuality and
Lee has also made many documentaries on black subjects as varied as Michael Jackson (for whom he made the They Don't Care About Us music video), Kobe Bryant and police beating victim Rodney King. He has also been acclaimed for When the Levees Broke (about Hurricane Katrine, which devestated black communities in New Orleans) and Four Little Girls (a terrorist attack on a black church that killed the titled young victims)
Known for his distictive dress sense and glasses, Lee is closely associated with New York and is often seen ringside watching the New York Knicks.
Spike Lee's films have the unique credit 'A Spike Lee Joint' instead of 'Directed by' and often include the Spike Lee shot - a double dolly shot where characters appear to float.
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DO THE RIGHT THING
password: bisspuxi
VPN needed in China
password: bisspuxi
VPN needed in China
Post-Viewing
1. Select a 5-minute sequence from the film and analyse the cinematography, editing and sound design. Write two points for each of these using the TWEED format.
2. Pick three costumes worn in the film. Explain how they create meaning.
Further Viewing
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