Spike Lee's ‘Do the Right Thing’ at Lincoln Theater

The Lincoln Theater Community has asked and we are happy to deliver! In March, audience members and online participants were asked to choose the final film in our new film series - SCREEN THOUGHTS, presented by host, Christine Merser. This season’s focus was on America’s Racial Struggles on the Screen, and the audience-selected final film is Spike Lee’s 1989 comedy-drama “Do the Right Thing!”

Salvatore “Sal” Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin’ Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin’ Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise and come to a head on the hottest day of the year. The acclaimed, yet controversial film was nominated for two Academy Awards. Spike Lee pulls no punches as he looks at racism from the prism of the black community.

As with the other films in the series, Christine will present a fifteen-minute introduction, which will not give anything away, but will give viewers insight as to what to note as they watch. After the film, she will lead a discussion around the historical context, and how the film affected the public when it was released.

This series was a new addition to the Lincoln Theater lineup this year, and was developed with an eye towards the role that stories can play in broadening our perspectives and changing hearts and minds. Each film in the series was chosen for its interesting history both in its production and its reception by the public.

"One thing I love about movies, as well as live theater and the arts in general, is they allow us to think and talk about difficult subjects,” said Lincoln Theater Executive director Christina Belknap. She added that the SCREEN THOUGHTS series allows audience members, “to be part of conversations that are important right here in our community and beyond, and there's no question that we are living in a time when these conversations are important. Not only have the films in this series provided that opportunity, but they have also been some of the best films of all time." She and Christine Merser are planning future seasons of SCREEN THOUGHTS and are discussing possible themes for the next series.

“Do the Right Thing” (Rated R) is showing Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m. and Friday, May 31 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $9 for adults, $6 for LT members, and $6 for youth 18 and under and are available in advance through the Lincoln Theater box office at www.LincolnTheater.net or at the door beginning 30 minutes before showtime. Lincoln Theater is located at 2 Theater Street in the heart of downtown Damariscotta. More information is available online or by contacting the theater office at info@LincolnTheater.net or 563-3424.