Watermelon Woman (1996)
Release Year: 1996
Nation: United States of America
Alternative Title: The Watermelon Woman, Arbuziarka
Director: Cheryl Dunye
Writer: Cheryl Dunye, Douglas McKeown
Production & Genre
Producer(s):
Companies: Dancing Girl
Genre: Comedy, Comedy Drama, Comedy Film, Drama, Lgbt-Related Film, Romance, Romance Film
Awards & Similar
Awards:
Similar:
Keywords
Keywords: adoring, black lgbt, celebratory, lgbt, philosophical, vibrant, woman director
Story
Cheryl, a young Black lesbian filmmaker in Philadelphia, embarks on a project to uncover the life of The Watermelon Woman, a Black actress from the 1930s who played 'mammy' archetypes in films. As Cheryl investigates, she discovers that the actress, Fae Richards, had a long affair with Martha Page, a White female director during the Harlem Renaissance. Meanwhile, Cheryl becomes romantically involved with Diana, a White woman, which strains her friendship with Tamara, her best friend and coworker at a video store. Through her discoveries about Fae's life and her own experiences, Cheryl comes to new realizations about her identity and the film industry.
Summary
Watermelon Woman is a 1996 comedy-drama directed by Cheryl Dunye, focusing on Black lesbian culture in Philadelphia during the mid-1990s. The film blends documentary-style footage with narrative elements as Cheryl explores the life of Fae Richards (The Watermelon Woman), celebrating her legacy and challenging stereotypes. It also addresses themes of interracial relationships and friendship within the LGBTQ+ community. Though limited in plot details, sources highlight Cheryl's personal growth and the film's celebration of Black lesbian culture.
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