Famed director Melvin Van Peebles, who knows his share of controversy, decided to lend his support to the Occupy Wall Street Movement.  His 1971 song "Love That's America," from his first Hollywood film Watermelon Man, has been used with various OWS promotional videos circulating on the web now.  The latest one, below, is by Cypher Films.

His bad experience directing the film gave him determination to have complete control over his next production, the groundbreaking Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.  The film was privately funded with his own money and, in part, by a $50,000 loan from Bill Cosby.  Van Peebles not only directed, scripted and edited the film, but wrote the score and directed the marketing campaign.  It ended of grossing more than $10 million and is considered one of the most successful black indie films of all time.

Now that's a Power to the people story!  [HT Okayplayer]