AchievementMarch 31, 1971· arts
Melvin Van Peebles releases Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Melvin Van Peebles writes, directs, produces, scores, and stars in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song on a budget of $150,000, and it earns $15 million, demonstrating the commercial viability of independent Black cinema and inspiring the Blaxploitation era.