Melvin Van Peebles dies aged 89
Melvin Van Peebles has died at the age of 89. The influential filmmaker was described as the "godfather of black cinema" and is known for his 1970s pictures 'Watermelon Man' and 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song'. Melvin passed away on Tuesday (21.09.21) evening at his New York home and his death was announced in a joint statement from his family, The Criterion Collection of prestige movies of which his films were included, and the distributor Janus Films. It read: "In an unparalleled career distinguished by relentless innovation, boundless curiosity and spiritual empathy, Melvin Van Peebles ...