Washington (AFP)

American writer and director Melvin Van Peebles, pioneer of "Blaxploitation", whose avant-garde film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song" inspired younger generations of black filmmakers, has died at the age of 89.

"We are saddened to announce the passing of a giant of American cinema, Melvin Van Peebles, who died last night (the night of Tuesday to Wednesday), at his home with his family, at the age of 89. "His son, actor Mario Van Peebles, and film distribution company The Criterion Collection said in a statement.

"During a unique career, Mr. Van Peebles has left an indelible mark on the global cultural landscape. He will be sorely missed."

"Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song," released in 1971, is a low budget film about a man in pornographic shows who kills two racist police officers for beating up a Black Panthers activist.

With this innovative work in both substance and form, Melvin Van Peebles, often referred to as "the godfather of modern black cinema", ushered in the era of "Blaxploitation" and inspired many younger directors, such as Spike Lee and Barry Jenkins.

“I didn't even know I had a heritage,” he told The New York Times in 2010. “I do what I want to do”.

- "Shock wave" -

"Sweet Sweetback", which he wrote, directed and financed and in which he stars, had only been released in two theaters but thanks to word of mouth it ended up grossing $ 10 million, making the highest-grossing independent film in history at the time, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The Criterion Collection, which distributes its films, referred to "a monument of independent black and American cinema, which has sent shock waves through all of the culture."

"Dad knew that portraying black people is important. If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is a movie worth? (...) We need to see ourselves being free," Mario Van Peebles said in a statement.

"Real liberation did not mean emulating the mentality of the colonizer. It meant appreciating the strength, beauty and interconnection of all humans."

Melvin Van Peebles (2nd from right) and his son Mario Van Peebles (left), in Beverly Hills (United States), May 2, 1995 VINCE BUCCI AFP / Archives

"I want people to feel valued and also have a fucking good time," the deceased told The New York Times in 2010.

Born in Chicago in 1932, Melvin Van Peebles had obtained a bachelor's degree in literature and served in the United States Air Force, before working as an artist, screenwriter, director, musician and writer.

He had also studied astronomy.

- Disappearance of a "giant" -

His first feature film, "The Story of a Three-Day Pass", told the story of a black American soldier demoted for having fraternized with a white woman in France.

The film had been noticed in Hollywood.

Columbia Pictures had hired him to direct in 1970 "Watermelon Man", a comedy on racism about a white bigot turned black overnight.

In addition to his literary and cinematographic work, Mr. Van Peebles has premiered several Broadway plays, including the musical "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death", which earned him seven Tony Award nominations.

"I am so saddened by the disappearance of my brother Melvin Van Peebles who propelled independent black cinema to the forefront with his groundbreaking film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song", reacted on Instagram the filmmaker Spike Lee ("Do the Right Thing ").

"Damn, we've lost another giant! Condolences to the Peebles family."

American director Melvin Van Peebles at the 38th American Film Festival in Deauville (France), September 5, 2012 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP / Archives

For Barry Jenkins, director of "Moonlight" (Oscar for best film 2017), "the man LIVE totally".

"He was making the most of every second, of EVERY shot and I have to admit, although the last time I spent time with him in MANY years, it was a night he danced. to the end of his strength, "Jenkins said.

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