The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast

Episode #147 with Mario Van Peebles

Hosted by Akin Season 1 Episode 147

On today's episode,  director and actor Mario Van Peebles takes some time out to come on the podcast to chat about his career and life.  We talk about the great influence his father, Melvin Van Peebles, has had in his career;  his passion for the Western genre and why he made the film 'Posse', and 'Outlaw Posse'.  We discuss the importance of telling the right story, legacy, heritage and representation, issues of whitewashing and other issues.  We also chat about his classic film 'Swing Jack City', and of course, Mr. Van Peebles shares the quote that continually inspires him.

Actor, writer, filmmaker and activist Mario Van Peebles will be in Conversation on Sunday 9th of February 2025 at the BFI's 'Black Rodeo: A History of the Black American Western,  to talk about his career to date, including his contribution to the western genre. Whether it be as an actor in Clint Eastwood’s Heartbreak Ridge and his father Melvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song or directing New Jack City, Baadasssss!, Posse and Panther, he has proved to be one of the US’s leading filmmakers and has the ability to write, act, produce and direct strong, independent work simultaneously.

 In conversation: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=mario-van-peebles-in-conversation&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

Outlaw Posse preview: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=outlaw-posse-preview&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at theswingingpalmtree@gmail.com.

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!