The Watermelon Woman

1997, Movie, 1h 25min

The wry, incisive debut feature by Cheryl Dunye gave cinema something bracingly new and groundbreaking: a vibrant representation of Black lesbian identity by a Black lesbian filmmaker. Dunye stars as Cheryl, a video-store clerk and aspiring director whose interest in forgotten Black actresses leads her to investigate an obscure 1930s performer known as the Watermelon Woman, whose story proves to have surprising resonances with Cheryl’s own life as she navigates a new relationship with a white girlfriend (Guinevere Turner). Balancing breezy romantic comedy with a serious inquiry into the history of Black and queer women in Hollywood, THE WATERMELON WOMAN slyly rewrites long-standing constructions of race and sexuality on-screen, introducing an important voice in American cinema.

"The Watermelon Woman" — comedy, romance and drama movie produced in USA and released in 1997. It has a great rating on IMDb: 7.1 stars out of 10. It is a feature-length film with a runtime of 1h 25min. "The Watermelon Woman" is currently available to stream on The Criterion Channel and for rent and to buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Store and Fandango at Home. Click on a playlink to watch it now!

Country: United States

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Ratings

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IMDb rating

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7.1

Critic rating

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7.0

Reviews

Critic Marjorie Baumgarten

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With this film, the director has created something she calls the “Dunyementary.” I think the term frames it perfectly.

Read full review at The Austin Chronicle

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Frequently asked questions

What is The Watermelon Woman about? Toggle content

Meet Cheryl, a young black lesbian filmmaker on a mission to uncover the truth about The Watermelon Woman, a mysterious actress from the 1930s who played stereotypical "mammy" roles. Cheryl's investigation takes her on a journey through lesbian clubs, cultural critiques, and personal relationships, as she uncovers the hidden story of Fae Richards, the real woman behind the Watermelon Woman moniker. As she delves deeper into Fae's life, Cheryl confronts her own identity and the complexities of race, sexuality, and power in the film industry. Will she be able to share Fae's story with the world, or will it remain a buried secret?

Where can I stream The Watermelon Woman? Toggle content

You can stream The Watermelon Woman on: The Criterion Channel Apple TV Store Amazon Store Fandango at Home