Spike Lee on meeting Mandela, the magic of Egypt and his favourite secret spot in New York

The Do The Right Thing director tells Noo Saro-Wiwa about getting his Afro shaved off in the 1960s South, sunrises in the Egyptian pyramids and working with Nelson Mandela in Soweto, South Africa.

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Which destination have you just returned from?

“Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. I have a house there, it’s peaceful. The other night, we had [comedian] Dave Chappelle and his wife come over, and we had a good time.”

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Which is your favourite neighbourhood in NYC?

“Fort Greene. The park, the brownstones, the neighbourhood… just Brooklyn. But my wife said we had to move. I grew up there and we had a brownstone, and everybody in Brooklyn knew where I lived, so they’re ringing the bell at four in the morning, saying stuff like, ‘My third cousin was in 7th grade with Spike.’ My wife said, ‘You got a choice: Brooklyn or your young daughter and your wife?’ I thought about it for an hour.”

David Lee

Highest 2 Lowest has some great location shots. Where’s your favourite place to view the NYC skyline?

“Well, it depends. Are you talking about the Brooklyn skyline or the Manhattan skyline? Most of the time the movies only show the Manhattan skyline. So, you know, I had to give Brooklyn love, so that’s why we see that sign that says ‘Welcome’ in the open credit sequence. Its 15-foot-tall red neon letters were installed on the building at 30 Columbia Heights in Brooklyn Heights.”