SCREENING REPORT
Do the Right Thing
Lorvingsky Dorielan
1.
Relate
what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.
Some things never change. That saying usually reflects an unfavorable
outlook on a situation by person, or a group people. And without exception, it
applies to what I’m about to articulate. In class it was specifically conveyed
how Do the Right Thing, a movie made 27 years prior to today is as relevant as
ever. America today is being confronted by the ugliness of the ways of our
supposed protectors. Those put in place to ensure safety are being fled from
for safety. However, it’s being realized no matter how fast or long anyone
runs, problems can never be avoided. Eric Garner and Radio Raheem were both
involved in a tense atmosphere. Both were in route of being detained because of
it by cops. Both were resisting. And both died in moment that no one would
imagine losing their life for. Some things never change, but some isn’t all.
2.
Find
a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic
content, etc.) and summarize the content. You may use the library or the
internet
The article I chose related to the film is based on symbolism of racial
conflict portrayed throughout the movie. It starts with the intro of Rosie
Perez dancing to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.” In parts of it she’s wearing white boxing
shorts, a black sports bra, and red boxing gloves. According to the article,
her attire represents the races, and the red gloves represent the frustration and
bad blood between them ("Symbolism In Do The Right Thing"). Also, the
color of Sal’s sons shirts in the beginning have symbolic meaning as well.
Pinto has a white tank top, while his brother Vito wears a black shirt. This is
metaphor of how they interact with the community around them ("Symbolism
In Do The Right Thing"). Pinto is opposed and racist towards his
environment. While Vito is more accepting with the people around him. Next,
another analogy is with Radio Raheem and his radio. He was only constantly
playing Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” throughout his day. To the point he
had to get batteries to continue playing it. He personifies the song and his
radio both. First, he’s identified by his radio with his name alone. And he
fights the power by going against Sal because of his lack of recognition of
black people in his wall of fame ("Symbolism In Do The Right Thing").
Furthermore, as the radio is destroyed, soon after Raheem passes away soon
after ("Symbolism In Do The Right Thing"). Both by the hands of white
people, further intertwine Raheem and his radio as one. There are other
symbolisms explained in the article I will use for later, but primarily this is
the summarization of content of the article.
Cite the article or copy the URL
to your journal entry. Summarize in your own words the related article but do
not plagiarize any content.
Symbolism in Do the Right Thing.
(). Retrieved from http://www.ar.cc.mn.us/bean/english1121/Movies%20Unit/stsamplemoviesct.htm
3.
Apply
the article to the film screened in class. How did the article support or
change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?
There
is a quote “Every great film should seem new every time you see it. “- Roger
Ebert. This something I resonate with alone because of this movie. I saw Do the
Right Thing multiple times, at different times in my life. First time I watched
it was just to see it, another time was for entertainment, and other times were
for various reasons. As for watching it in this class, I looked at with a
different viewpoint. Whether it was my experiences, mood, mind frame,
enjoyment, or the climate of the America today; I liked it than more than ever
and it resonated with me greatly. And the article just supports my thoughts on
the film at this time. One question going over and over in my mind while
watching the movie was; who was doing the right thing? For example, after Radio
Raheem’s death Mookie walks over with his people, after standing in front of
them with Sal and his sons. Subsequently, he throws the trash can through the
window damaging the establishment first. Symbolizing he couldn’t play mediator
anymore, breaking the transparent yet blurred idea of peace ("Symbolism In
Do The Right Thing"). Some individuals can perceive that action as adding
to the fever at the moment negatively. Others can see that as a boiling point
reached, and clarity after the midst of chaos that can be understood. There can
be many other impressions, but I realized doing the right thing can be merely a
perspective.
4.
Write
a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a
result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article. I am
less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be
part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or
the contributions of the director.
In the words of Radio Raheem the story of life is a battle between the
hands of love and hate. At the end of his saying love is ko’d by hate, because
what he loves he loves. And what he hates he doesn’t say. I believe what is
trying to be conveyed is what we love causes us to hate what affects what we
love negatively. And this is acted on in anyway needed. However, I also
interpret it as there is no place for hate. If we love with over whelming force,
love will knockout hate out of existence. In my eyes this represents the ending
credits of Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. One seeing violence as a
means to more confusion and destruction. The latter seeing violence as
intelligent, practical, self-defense mechanism means to an end. Both views are
personified through Jade and Mookie. Jade in her monologue with Buggin’ Out,
and Mookie in culmination with the ending of the movie. Spike Lee gives his
contributions as a director and an actor of what is doing the right thing. He
lets every character voice their opinion of their truth (Edwards, 2014). That
is their validation of their actions, letting the audience decide who did right
(Edwards, 2014). This solidifies its place in film history significantly. As
the movie itself represents the ideas and situations that are displayed
continuously through diverse mediums.
Edwards, G. (2014). Fight the
Power: Spike Lee on 'Do the Right Thing' . Retrieved from http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/fight-the-power-spike-lee-on-do-the-right-thing-20140620
Radio Raheem’s Love and Hate
monologue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa-oUPTr9LI
Ending Do the Right Thing Credits
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b1Nj4w5U0A
Other Examples of idea through
other mediums - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R72JZqfxqGY
( A Different World Season 6,
Episode 22) (On Netflix)
good. 10/10
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