Watch How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company

How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It) is a 2005 documentary film about the life of African-American director, playwright and activist Melvin Van Peebles. The film, which was directed by Joe Angio, features interviews with Van Peebles, as well as with his family, friends and colleagues, and explores his life and career, his influences, and the impact he has had on American culture.

Melvin Van Peebles is best known for his landmark film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971), which is widely regarded as one of the most important films in the history of independent cinema. The film, which Van Peebles wrote, produced, directed, edited, and starred in, tells the story of a black man's flight from the police after he is falsely accused of a crime. Sweet Sweetback was groundbreaking for its raw, unapologetic portrayal of black life, and for its daring approach to storytelling and visual style.

How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It) explores the making of Sweet Sweetback, and its impact on Van Peebles' career and on American cinema as a whole. The film also delves into Van Peebles' earlier work as a writer and musician, and his experiences as a black artist in the 1960s and 70s.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is the way it presents Van Peebles' life as a reflection of the larger social and political upheavals of the time. How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It) shows how Van Peebles' work was shaped by his experiences as a black man in America, and how his art and activism were part of a broader movement for social justice and equality.

The film also touches on Van Peebles' personal life, including his relationships with his family and his struggle with alcoholism. Through interviews with his children and his ex-wife, the film reveals a complex, dynamic personality, who was both driven and flawed.

Overall, How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It) is a fascinating portrait of a visionary artist and an important figure in American culture. The film is well-researched and thoughtfully structured, and is sure to appeal to anyone interested in the history of cinema, African-American culture, or the social and political movements of the 1960s and 70s.

In addition to Van Peebles himself, the film features interviews with a number of prominent artists and thinkers, including Spike Lee, Kevin Smith, Gil Scott-Heron, and Mario Van Peebles (Melvin's son and a successful actor and director in his own right). These interviews are interspersed with archival footage and clips from Van Peebles' films, creating a rich tapestry of images and ideas.

Ultimately, How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It) is a tribute to one of the most important and innovative filmmakers of our time, and a reminder of the power of art to transform the world around us. Whether you are a fan of Melvin Van Peebles' work or simply interested in the history of cinema, this film is well worth seeking out.

How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 70.