Still Processing

Fantasies

Episode Summary

We revisit “Do the Right Thing” almost three decades after it was snubbed at the Oscars.

Episode Notes

With the Academy Awards right around the corner, we take a look back at some previous Best Picture winners. When these winning films were about race, they often highlighted a feel-good racial reconciliation fantasy. But about 30 years ago, there was one movie that was snubbed at the Oscars — “Do the Right Thing” — that is anything but a feel-good racial reconciliation fantasy. We revisit how “Do the Right Thing” showcased realities about race in America in ways that none of the current Oscar nominees — including Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” — do, and why it matters.

Discussed this week:

• “Green Book” (directed by Peter Farrelly, 2018)
• “Forrest Gump” (directed by Robert Zemeckis, 1994)
• “Crash” (directed by Paul Haggis, 2004)
• “Driving Miss Daisy” (directed by Bruce Beresford, 1989)
• “BlacKkKlansman” (directed by Spike Lee, 2018)
• Kim Basinger going off-script at the 1990 Academy Awards
• “Do the Right Thing” (directed by Spike Lee, 1989)