Drama
United States of America
Baadasssss! is a biographical drama film that was released in 2003. It follows the story of director Mario Van Peebles as he sets out to make a film about his father Melvin's 1971 classic, "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song". The film depicts the struggles that both Mario and Melvin faced during the production of the film, including racism, lack of funding, and scrutiny from the Motion Picture Association of America.
Throughout the movie, Mario offers an unflinching portrayal of his father, who is depicted as a complex and sometimes difficult figure. Melvin, played by Mario himself, is shown as a man with a strong vision, but who is also willing to do whatever it takes to get his film made. This includes writing bad checks, tricking a local fire department, and allowing his young son to shoot racy sex scenes.
As the production of "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song" continues, the film delves deeper into the challenges that the filmmakers faced, including the refusal of mainstream theaters to show the movie and the negative reviews that it received from some critics. Despite these setbacks, the film ultimately became a box office success and a cultural touchstone for the Blaxploitation era.
Baadasssss! features an ensemble cast that includes many notable actors, including Nia Long, David Alan Grier, and Paul Rodriguez. The film was directed by Mario Van Peebles, who also wrote and produced the movie. It received positive reviews from critics for its honest portrayal of the challenges faced by African American filmmakers during the 1970s.
