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)Cathy Park Hong
Lil Nas X? Not Sorry!
40 Acres and a Movie
No Country for Any Men
Now That's What I Call a Bridge!
The N-Word
The Return of Still Processing
Best of the Archives: Whitney Houston (2017)
Best of the Archives: Whiteness in America (2017)
Best of the Archives: Psychobros (2019)
Best of the Archives: Aretha Franklin (2018)
Sweet, Sweet Fantasies, Baby
'Waiter, There's a Fly in Our Bubble'
Ziwe May Destroy Hamilton
Reparations for Aunt Jemima!
So Y’all Finally Get It
New Loop, America
Does This Phone Make Me Look Human?
Fiona Ex Machina
Halle Berry? Hallelujah.
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
The Daily
Modern Love
The Ezra Klein Show
Dear Sugars
1619