One of Spike Lee's most treasured possessions is an African National Congress flag signed by former South African president Nelson Mandela and activist and politician Winnie Mandela. Lee acquired the flag in 1992 while shooting the final scenes for Malcolm X, in which Nelson Mandela plays a teacher in Soweto. He won the country's first democratic elections in 1994.

This episode is part of an adapted audio guide to Spike Lee: Creative Sources, open at the Brooklyn Museum through February 4, 2024. Visit www.brooklynmuseum.org for tickets.

See a photo of the signature on the flag and the other objects Lee discusses: https://bit.ly/SpikeLeeGuide

This project was produced by Seaplane Armada and the Brooklyn Museum.