American writer and director Melvin Van Peebles, pioneer of “blaxploitation”, whose avant-garde film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song inspired the younger generations of black filmmakers, died at the age of 89.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of an American cinema giant, Melvin Van Peebles, who died last night [la nuit de mardi à mercredi], at home with his family at the age of 89, ”his son, actor Mario Van Peebles, and film distribution company The Criterion Collection announced in a statement.
“During a unique career, Mr. Van Peebles has left an indelible mark on the global cultural landscape. He will be sorely missed. “ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, released in 1971, is a low-budget film about a man in pornographic shows who kills two racist police officers for beating up a Black Panthers activist.
With this innovative work in both substance and form, Melvin Van Peebles, often nicknamed “the godfather of modern black cinema”, ushered in the era of “blaxploitation” – a movement committed to revalorizing the image of African Americans giving them leading roles – and inspired many younger directors, like Spike Lee and Barry Jenkins. “I didn’t even know I had an inheritance,” he confided to the New York Times in 2010. “I do what I want to do. “
Sweet Sweetback, which he wrote, directed and financed and in which he stars, was initially released in only two theaters.
But thanks to word of mouth, it ended up grossing $ 10 million, making it the highest-grossing independent film in history at the time, according to the. Hollywood Reporter.
The Criterion Collection, which distributes its films, referred to “a monument of independent black and American cinema, which has sent shock waves through all of the culture.”
“Dad knew that black representation is important. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a movie worth? […] We need to see ourselves being free, ”Mario Van Peebles said in a statement. “Real liberation did not mean that you had to emulate the mentality of the colonizer. It involved recognizing the strength, beauty, and interconnectedness of all humans. “
Born in Chicago in 1932, Melvin Van Peebles had a bachelor’s degree in literature and had served in the United States Air Force, before working as an artist, screenwriter, director, musician and writer. He had also studied astronomy.
His first feature film, The Story of a Three-Day Pass, told the story of a black American soldier demoted for having fraternized with a white woman in France. The film had been noticed in Hollywood, prompting Columbia Pictures to hire Van Peebles to direct in 1970. Watermelon Man, a comedy about a white racist who turned black overnight.
In addition to his literary and cinematographic work, Mr. Van Peebles has premiered several Broadway plays, including the musical Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, which earned him seven Tony Award nominations.
“I am so saddened by the passing of my brother Melvin Van Peebles, who brought independent noir cinema to the forefront with his groundbreaking film. Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song », Reacted on Instagram the filmmaker Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing).
Barry Jenkins, director of Moonlight (Oscar for best film 2017) also passed on his tributes to Melvin Van Peebles, who “made the best of every second, of every shot”, according to him.
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