The Watermelon Woman

1997, 81 minutes
USA

Director: Cheryl Dunye

Cheryl is a twenty-something black lesbian working as a clerk in a video store while struggling to make a documentary about Fae Richards, an obscure black actress
from the 1930’s. Cheryl is surprised to discover that Richards (known popularly as “the Watermelon Woman”) had a white lesbian lover. At the same time, Cheryl falls in love with a very cute white customer at the video store. Co-starring Guinevere Turner, with an appearance by Camille Paglia. Maryland Film Festival is proud to present a 20th anniversary edition of this breakthrough GLBTQ title!
 
“Funny and smart, full of biting humor and astute observations about identity and history, Cheryl Dunye’s audacious, joyous debut feature captures the process of falling hopelessly in love with the movies.” –Serena Donadoni, Village Voice