DVD Review: How To Eat Your Watermelon In White Company (And Enjoy It)

How To Eat Your Watermelon In White Company (And Enjoy It) is documentary about Melvin Van Peebles, probably still best known for his 1971 film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, but who in addition to being a film director and actor is a published author, musician and even trader on the stock exchange. Near the beginning of the film Melvin says: “What happened with me is: If I don’t see it then I do it myself. That’s what happened with the film, that’s what happened with the music, that’s what happened with writing. I didn’t see the types of things I wanted to see, so I did it myself.” That seems to be the key to his career, to his art.

The film provides a short biography of his early years, done in the style of an old film strip. He worked driving a cable car in San Francisco, and wrote The Big Heart based on some of his experiences. But his goal at the time was to direct films. When his short films were being shown in Paris, he moved there. And that’s where the documentary really starts to pick up and focus. There is some interesting stuff about him writing for Hara Kiri in France, and becoming a French writer. There is footage from a French television program in 1964, where he is interviewed about his autobiographical novel, A Bear For The F.B.I.  Interestingly, he wrote several novels in France with the aim of getting into film because of a rule at the time giving French writers temporary director’s cards so they could bring their own work to the screen. And that’s how Peebles came to make his first film, La Permission.

One thing about Melvin Van Peebles is that he comes across as extremely and immediately likeable. It’s a joy to watch and listen to him talk about his films, his music and his experiences. And he has a whole lot of great stories. I particularly like how he handled Watermelon Man. He talks about agreeing to shoot that film with his desired ending and with the studio’s desired ending, and then “forgetting” to shoot their ending. And of course there is plenty of material on Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, and its impact – both positive and negative – on the film industry and on his own career. Mario Van Peebles tells us: “My dad said to me later on he learned from that process of doing Sweetback that it was very important that the big boys win when you win. If they don’t win when you win, they have no interest in you winning. In fact, they have an interest in you not winning.” I also love what Melvin has to say about the MPAA (an organization that I believe is no longer needed or wanted).

The film also treats us to some tracks from his records, stuff I’d actually never heard before, as well as information about his theatrical productions. But it’s his story about becoming a trader on the stock exchange that I find particularly hilarious as well as inspiring. Also, his solution to the homeless problem is funny. But I don’t know quite what to say about seeing him sing “Achy Breaky Heart.” By the way, the documentary’s title comes from the title of an article Melvin Van Peebles wrote, but which wasn’t published.

Special Features

The DVD contains some good bonus features. Gotta Eat: Breakfast With Melvin Van Peebles is a conversation with Melvin Van Peebles, director Joe Angio and producer Michael Solomon, filmed on December 1, 2015. They talk about the documentary project, and also about the January 2015 terrorist attack in France that claimed the lives of some of Melvin’s fellow writers at Hara Kiri.

The special features also include a few of Melvin Van Peebles Channel 5 NYC TV commentaries (including the one where he talks about hookers and the homeless), and a couple of live concert performances – “You’ve Cut Up The Clothes In The Closet Of My Dreams” and “Lilly Done The Zampouchi Every Time I Pulled Her Coattail.” The film’s trailer is also included.

How To Eat Your Watermelon In White Company (And Enjoy It) was directed by Joe Angio, and was released on DVD on February 2, 2016 through Music Box Films.