A24 has just released a compelling behind-the-scenes mini-documentary titled Making of a Spike Lee Joint: Highest 2 Lowest, giving fans an intimate look at the creative fires of Spike Lee’s latest crime thriller.
Available now via A24’s YouTube channel, the mini-doc captures the energy, collaboration, and improvisational spirit that went into crafting Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee’s bold reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low.
Mini-Doc Highlights
Equipped with just a camcorder, a student filmmaker captured unscripted moments during production—”what it takes to make a Spike Lee Joint” in its purest form.
he footage underscores the reunion between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington—marking their fifth collaboration—with Lee sharing how the chemistry came naturally, likening the first day on set to the final day of Inside Man.
The mini-doc vividly captures the gritty, vibrant atmosphere of New York City, which functions almost as a character in the film’s narrative.
A standout moment: Spike Lee allowed cameras to roll through an entire freestyle rap battle between Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky—calling it “unscripted gold.”
