Melvin Van Peebles, the Man, Filmmaker, Visionary, Trailblazer, and Activist
A snapshot of how one man single handily started a cinematic revolution
In reality and everyone knows Melvin Van Peebles as the Black filmmaker, novelist, and playwright whose audacity and rebelliousness were exemplified in his work which has influenced generations of artists.
Some of Melvin Van Peebles works are getting a renewed release to the public notably his best-known film, 1971’s “Sweetback’s Baadassss song”, set for a 50th-anniversary tribute this weekend at the New York Film Festival, his Tony-nominated play, “Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death” to be revived on Broadway next year, his debut feature film, and 1968’s interracial romance, ”The Story of a Three-Day Pass,” rereleased in theaters earlier this year.
Melvin Van Peebles considered himself a genius regardless of what anyone thought of him was of no concern to him. He directed, wrote, edited, scored, and starred in his landmark indie film “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.” His film became the top-grossing independent film of 1971 and made $10 million from a reported $500, 000 investment against much bias from an all-white jury that gave the film an X rating as it made a political statement about Black power as it became a political and cultural landmark and paved the way for other…
