WTF with Marc Maron Podcast Episode 1675 - Spike Lee
20 snips
Sep 4, 2025 
Spike Lee joins to discuss his latest film, *Highest 2 Lowest*, featuring Denzel Washington and set in the vibrant landscape of NYC. He shares insights on his passion for teaching and documentary work, while also reminiscing about the impact of *Bamboozled*. The conversation dives into the evolving New York creative scene post-pandemic, the role of improvisation in filmmaking, and the critical legacy of Black filmmakers, emphasizing themes of race and representation in cinema.
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Instant Yes From A Trusted Collaborator
- Denzel Washington sent Spike Lee a script and Spike immediately knew he wanted to direct it.
- Their long collaboration and trust made Spike accept the project without hesitation.
Adaptation As Jazz Interpretation
- Spike described adapting Kurosawa like jazz musicians reinterpreting standards.
- He framed the film as a reinterpretation, not a remake, using the story as a foundation.
Morals Drive Audience Engagement
- Spike argued the film's core is moral weight and viewers project themselves onto Denzel's character.
- That moral engagement is what makes audiences ask what they would do in similar circumstances.
