Do the Right Thing (1989, Spike Lee)

Spike Lee is a revolutionary filmmaker. He's special in so many ways mainly because he is a people's director, who has never shied away from voicing his opinions and depicting the myriad of oppression and sufferings of his people.

Raw enthusiasm oozes from the onset of Lee's classic, takes off with a brilliantly choreographed and equally electrifying dance sequence, bestowing us a glimpse of the madness that's going to unravel in the course of the next few hours. Do the Right Thing is a genre-bender, shifting gears from time to time but at its core, it remains a coming of age flick dipped in realism.

Lee establishes his film in a Brooklyn neighbourhood and plops a bunch of contrasting characters varying from African- Americans, Italian-Americans, Koreans and Jews, churning out an environment in which the ethnic tension is prominent throughout. The characters are luminously written and performed be it the hyperactive Esposito, the vociferous Radio Raheem, the inebriated Mayor or Lee himself. It's among those rare films whose almost every character turns out to be memorable.

Dickerson uses a variety of feverish colour palettes to formulate a blazing hot atmosphere, which feels intimate and makes one feel every bit of sweat rolling down the body. The visuals work wonders along with the wild music that sets the mood for what is termed as the hottest day of the summer.

The Occasional fourth wall breaking scenes elevate the chaotic tempo exponentially alongside Lee's full-fledged critique, scrutinising the prolonged racial and social conflicts and the never-ending animosity towards the black people in the American societies. Lee's commentary is fierce but he doesn't solely lambaste any particular race but rather the entire humanity.

31 years down the line Lee's film speaks volumes about our society, which has failed time and time again. The pertinence of the film cannot be dismissed. Lee's statement is as clear as crystal, Do the Right Thing, no matter what.

Malcolm X might be Spike Lee's Magnum Opus but this one perhaps is my favourite joint of him.