Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song Director: Melvin Van Peebles U.S.A.| 1971. Colour. 97 min. Book cinema tickets Here’s a rare opportunity to see Melvin Van Peebles’ legendary early ’70s movie, which touched off a wave of imitative black features, few of which shared Van Peebles’s startling originality and fierce attack. The story of a male ‘performer’ at a ghetto bordello and his run from the law, the film is a shrewd and powerful mix of commercial ingredients and ideological intent. Director: Melvin Van Peebles U.S.A.| 1971. Colour. 97 min.