Words By Jesse H.

One of my lifelong goals after becoming a certified Hip-Hop head was to play an Ice Cube song during a classroom presentation and suffer no ramifications. I’m proud to say that I accomplished my goal Freshman year of college by weaving in “Endangered Species (Tales From the Dark Side)” during a presentation on “Shaft!” to illustrate the evolution of the militant Black voice found in blaxploitation films to a more contemporary example.

While having my professor tell me it was “the awesomest thing they’ve ever seen” (actual quote) was a rewarding moment, what I appreciated most about the assignment is how it stimulated my interest in blaxploitation films. For the presentation, I went back and studied the essentials. Of course, in my studies, I came across the one that started it all: Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song.

But there’s another film I recently saw that offered a fascinating examination of the incredible story behind the making of Sweetback. Baadasssss is a tour de force by Mario Van Peebles and finds the son of the Sweetback director, Melvin Van Peebles, simultaneously paying homage to his father and questioning the man’s borderline psychotic devotion to the film. The picture is a faux documentary, casting new actors to portray the revolutionary crew that put Sweetback together and intercutting interviews with live-action scenes of the film being made.

Roger Ebert gave the film a perfect four star rating and called it “one of the best movies I’ve seen about the making of a movie.” The way Mario (who also plays his father in the film) brings to life Melvin’s unbelievable drive to complete the picture with depleted resources and his reputation on the line, is remarkable. The story’s potency is furthered by moral dilemmas (Melvin using a 13-year-old Mario to play a young Sweetback losing his virginity) and out of the ordinary tidbits (Sweetback… was a launching pad for Earth, Wind & Fire, who scored the soundtrack).

Baadasssss! offers a comprehensive view about the emotions and struggle that went into creating the original blaxploitation film. It’s a must-see in general, but especially for those who have any interest in blaxploitation films. Bump this immediately to the top of the Netflix queue.

While you wait though, have a listen to some Ice Cube… my professor would want you to.

Ice Cube Feat. Chuck D – “Endangered Species” (Tales From the Dark Side)