Melvin Van Peebles & The Color Barrier in Hollywood

The show is (finally) back to celebrate the life, work, and legacy of Renaissance man Melvin Van Peebles (1932-2021), a well-travelled director, songwriter, actor, playwright, and novelist who played an integral role in breaking the color barrier for Black filmmakers in Hollywood during the late 60s-early 70s and helmed the groundbreaking and provocative independent hit Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, among many other triumphs.

Join us as we attempt to do his many lives and oeuvre justice by covering his start as a feature filmmaker in France, his role in spawning the blaxploitation film era of the early 70s, and how he paved the way for both independent and Black directors, all without being beholden to the studio system.

Listen, like, subscribe, and feel free to leave comments, ratings, or reviews on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Google Podcasts, Tune In, and iHeart Radio. Kisses many.