Len Lesser

Mario Van Peebles's half documentary/half homage to his father Melvin's 1971 film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.

Critics and audiences alike have gotten behind Mario Van Peebles' candid portrait of his father Melvin's struggle as a young, black director during the society-shifting early '70s. Determined to make a film that matters, Melvin (played by son Mario) deals with two-faced backers, a rag tag crew, threatening creditors and various shades of Hollywood hypocrisy. Obsessed and with everything on the line, including his failing eyesight and family, his only choice is to stick to his guns and do whatever it takes to get his neo-blaxploitation epic Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song to the audience for which it was envisioned. The real-life father and son dynamic brings an intimacy to this inspiring and often hilarious tribute to the father of black cinema. The result is a seamless layering of entertaining drama and poignant documentary that mirrors itself from every angle and never loses its edge.

The true story of black filmmaking legend Melvin Van Peebles energizes with heart, humor and raw attitude under the talents of his son (director and star Mario Van Peebles) on a ride that details theunderdog effort to make an empowering black film against all odds. An inspiring and informative crowd pleaser!

The true story of black filmmaking legend Melvin Van Peebles energizes with heart, humor and raw attitude under the talents of his son (director and star Mario Van Peebles) on a ride that details theunderdog effort to make an empowering black film against all odds. An inspiring and informative crowd pleaser!