Baadasssss!

About

Baadasssss! is a 2003 American biographical drama film, written, produced, directed by, and starring Mario Van Peebles. The film is based on the struggles of Van Peebles' father Melvin Van Peebles (played by Mario himself), as he attempts to film and distribute Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, a film that was widely credited with showing Hollywood that a viable African-American audience existed, and thus influencing the creation of the blaxploitation genre. The film follows Melvin Van Peebles as he struggles to make Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, an independent film created to entertain audiences while challenging stereotypical portrayals of Black Americans. After struggling to secure funding, Peebles assembles a mostly Black crew and begins production with limited resources. He casts himself in the lead role and uses unconventional methods to save money, including filming some scenes on 16mm and involving his young son, Mario. Production is repeatedly threatened by arrests, financial problems, and conflicts among the cast and crew. Bill Cosby eventually loans Peebles $50,000, while Earth, Wind & Fire records the soundtrack. Despite distributors initially rejecting the film, Jerry Gross agrees to release it. The movie initially struggles at the box office, but support from the Black community helps it gain an audience. Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song eventually becomes the highest-grossing independent film of 1971, with its soundtrack also becoming successful. (source: wikipedia.com)

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