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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

A Conversation with Spike Lee

December 19, 2021
8818 SUNSET BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069, United States

In Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (1989), a character named Radio Raheem walks around Bed-Stuy with a radio playing Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.” Early on in the movie, in what is one of its most excerpted scenes, Raheem shows off his “LOVE” and “HATE” brass rings and says, “Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It’s a tale of good and evil.” The typographic design of Lee’s new monograph, titled SPIKE, takes its inspiration from those upper-case rings. Featuring hundreds of photographs shot by Lee’s long-time set photographer—and brother—David Lee, the book brims with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and images that go from his first film, She’s Gotta Have It (1986), to his most recent, Da 5 Bloods (2020). He also covers the commercials he shot for Nike and the music videos he made with Michael Jackson and Prince. At Booksoup, Lee and an unannounced “special VIP guest” discuss both the book and Lee’s career. —J.D.