Baadasssss! is a 2003 American
biopic, written, produced, directed by, and starring
Mario Van Peebles. The film is based on the struggles of Van Peebles' father
Melvin Van Peebles (played by Mario himself), as he attempts to film and distribute
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, a film that was widely credited with showing
Hollywood that a viable
African-American audience existed, and thus influencing the creation of the
Blaxploitation genre. The film also stars
Joy Bryant,
Nia Long,
Ossie Davis,
Paul Rodriguez,
Rainn Wilson, and
Terry Crews.