Delroy LindoandSpike Lee’s professional relationship began over 30 years ago.
Thankfully, this was but the first chapter in a long, rich artistic relationship.
I was just thrilled to be able to connect and play the part with the Jamaican accent….
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It was an homage to my roots.
And that last scene was the capper.
But going into it, they were mad.
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As to how it’s been interpreted, that’s another matter.
I would always be really offended frankly, for a number of reasons.
Lee assured him of the role, “This is not my dad.”
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“It really confused me,” Lindo admits.
Lindo felt the pressure.
Now in hindsight, all that training felt like a crutch.
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I had a certain amount of confidence in my own ability.
I didn’t feel that I didn’t belong, but I absolutely was learning, he says.
And I think I was a little bit intimidated byAlfre Woodardto be really honest.
Indeed, at the time of shooting, this was not his focus.
Rodney coerces young men into becoming dealers and murderers; it’s a tough, uncompromising role.
How is it that a person like Rodney becomes a father figure to these kids?"
“What does that say about society?
What does it say about the environments that these kids and Rodney [are] existing in?
It’s really served me really, really well, and it has to do with being prepared.
Preparation, in this case, meant getting into the headspace of a deeply troubled veteran.
I was only 16 years old in 1968 and, also, I was in Europe.
So my understanding of the Vietnam War was quite limited, Lindo explains.
I made copious notes.
And I watched them.
I watched their body language.
How their body language changed when they were talking about different aspects of their experiences.
Next, Lindo was connected with five more Vietnam War veterans through another retired military person.
They spoke more broadly about their experiences in ‘Nam, as opposed to specifically about PTSD, Lindo explains.
Lindo getting to have a meatier role inDa 5 Bloodswas something he engaged with relish.
Much later, Spike said to me, You know what, man?
I didnotknow what you were doing in that scene.”
Da 5 Bloodsis now streaming on Netflix.
