How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It)

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walter m @Harlequin68 08/09/2014 Although many know him primarily through his work on film(notably the landmark "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song"), what the entertaining and illuminating documentary "How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company(And Enjoy It)"(perhaps the best title ever for a documentary) sets out to prove in fine style is that there is much more to Melvin Van Peebles than just that. As he is the epitome of the modern renaissance man, Van Peebles has also been a navigator for the air force, drove a trolley in San Francisco, a writer, a musician(although as one person puts it, he sings like a 'frog on crack'), a television commentator and, oh why not, a Wall Street trader. He came to filmmaking while living in France where as a writer he was able to get a part-time filmmaking license.(Which is so cool by the way.) And that led to Hollywood, followed by his greatest success with 'Sweetback' that as the documentary puts it, made it hip to be a revolutionary, unlike the movie's many imitators which simply did not get it. Okay, there are some places where this documentary does not go very deep, but probably for the best, considering it would involve Van Peebles' personal life. And I would like to salute his stamina for his prolific love life which in reality probably did lead to more than its share of heartbreak. And sadly there is no mention of his son Mario's film "Baadasssss!" about his father's film, nor about Mario's very small and controversial part in said film. See more 08/15/2010 loved it. i wouldn't have given "baadasssss" another thought had i not seen this (though i still dont plan on checking it...but have more of an appreciation for it). fascinating individual. See more 07/26/2010 Fascinating & edifying. See more 06/25/2010 Melvin Van Peebles is a genius! His body of work is insane. Broadway, Films and Wall Street!!!! See more 04/05/2010 Fascinating look at the life of Melvin Van Peebles. Best known for his controversial film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song", he's also spent time as an author, musician, Tony-nominated playwright and as a trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. See more 02/07/2009 briliant. first dude to commoditize "blackness." See more Read all reviews

How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It)

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