The Watermelon Woman

USA, 1996, 90 min
Directed by Cheryl Dunye
Cast: Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker, Lisa Marie Bronson
English
25.6, 23:00

Winner of the Berlin international film festival 1996 for best queer film. This classic lesbian and queer film is a must-see. Cheryl is a young African American lesbian who lives in Philadelphia and works with her best friend Tamara in a local video store. She shoots a documentary about a local African American actress who appeared on the screen during the 1930’s and was dubiously dubbed “The Watermelon Woman”. During her research she reveals the actress’s real name and discovers an affair she had had with a white directress who cast her to her films. During the making of the film Cheryl meets Diana, a white rich young girl, and the two blaze away with an affair that will help her realize a few things about her life. The Watermelon Woman is a smart and witty combination between fiction and a documentary, excellently played and full of humor and wisdom.