The Beverly Theater presents a screening of Melvin Van Peebles' groundbreaking 1971 film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song," a landmark of independent American cinema that helped define the blaxploitation era. The film tells the story of a Black man on the run from corrupt police in Los Angeles, crafted with a raw, visceral style that broke from Hollywood conventions of the time. Van Peebles wrote, directed, starred in, and scored the film independently, creating something that was both controversial and revolutionary in its depiction of race, sexuality, and resistance in America.

This screening offers a chance to experience the film in the intimate setting of the Beverly Theater's main theater, where the venue's excellent acoustics will bring Van Peebles' innovative soundtrack—featuring an early score by Earth, Wind & Fire—to life. The film's gritty cinematography and unconventional narrative structure make it a fascinating watch for both cinephiles interested in independent film history and anyone curious about the cultural movements of early 1970s America. The Beverly's downtown Arts District location provides an appropriate backdrop for this culturally significant work that challenged Hollywood's status quo and influenced generations of filmmakers.