Watch The Watermelon Woman

The Watermelon Woman, a 1996 independent film, is a thoughtful exploration of sexuality, race, and identity. The movie centers around a young black lesbian filmmaker, Cheryl Dunye, who becomes fascinated with a black actress from the 1930s who was credited only as "The Watermelon Woman." Dunye plays a fictionalized version of herself in the movie, working as a video store clerk in Philadelphia while trying to make a documentary about "The Watermelon Woman." Through interviews with the woman's surviving friends and family members, Dunye discovers that her subject, whose real name was Fae Richards, was a popular performer in the 1930s and 1940s, both in Hollywood and in black films made for black audiences.

As Dunye delves deeper into Richards's life, she learns that Richards had a long-term, tumultuous relationship with a white film director. Dunye begins to see parallels between Richards's experience and her own complicated romantic life. She also struggles with the challenges of being a black lesbian filmmaker in a predominantly white, male-dominated industry.

The Watermelon Woman tackles weighty themes with a light touch, cleverly mixing documentary footage with fictional reenactments and blending humor and irony with social commentary. The movie is also noteworthy for its pioneering portrayal of a black lesbian protagonist, who reflects the experiences of many queer people of color who remain marginalized in mainstream culture.

In addition to Dunye's charming performance as herself, the movie features strong supporting performances from Guinevere Turner as Cheryl's girlfriend, Valarie Walker as Cheryl's confidant and film crewmember, and Lisa Marie Bronson as Cheryl's best friend. Dunye's assured direction and a well-crafted screenplay make The Watermelon Woman a thoughtful and entertaining movie that is both a snapshot of the times it was filmed in, and timeless in its exploration of cultural identities and artistic expression.

The film's soundtrack is also worth noting, with a mix of contemporary tracks and classic jazz and swing music reflecting the era in which Fae Richards was a performer.

All in all, The Watermelon Woman is a seminal film in queer cinema that tackles complex social issues with humor, grace, and insight.

The Watermelon Woman is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 74.