Multi-talented artist Melvin Van Peebles was born in Chicago, but as a young adult traveled extensively between Europe, Mexico, and America. While in Paris, he wrote several popular French novels and produced his first feature film, ‘La Permission’ in 1967.
HIs work had one recognizable trait.
Van Peebles was Black AF. His Hollywood directorial debut of ‘Watermelon Man’ in 1970 was about a racially bigoted white salesman who wakes up one day as a Black man.
Though the movie was a comedy, the film depicted some of the harsh and nuanced realities of being Black in America, as did much of Van Peebles’ other work.
His most well-known film was 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.' But when racist white studios refused to finance the film, Van Peebles independently produced and funded the project!
With complete creative control, he produced a groundbreaking movie that catalyzed the Blaxploitation-era that followed.
Van Peebles wore multiple creative hats while producing the $10 million action-thriller. 'Sweet Sweetback's' was popular — even the Black Panthers praised its on-point depiction of the Black political struggle!
Van Peebles wasn’t shy about weaving Blackness into everything he did. He was dedicated to sharing authentic Black stories.
Artists like him, who dare to break barriers, must be celebrated. Art — freedom of expression — has much to teach us about liberation.