The Watermelon Woman
Brief Synopsis
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Cheryl, a twenty-something black lesbian, is struggling to make a documentary about beautiful and elusive 1930s film actress Fae Richards, popularly known as the "Watermelon Woman." As Cheryl uncovers the meanings of the Watermelon Woman's life, she experiences a total upheaval in her personal life.
Cast & Crew
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Guinevere Turner
Diana
Alexandra Juhasz
Martha Page
Cheryl Clarke
June Walker
Guinevere Turner
Diana
Film Details
MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Period
Release Date
1995
Distribution Company
First Run Features
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 30m
Synopsis
Cheryl, a twenty-something black lesbian, is struggling to make a documentary about beautiful and elusive 1930s film actress Fae Richards, popularly known as the "Watermelon Woman." As Cheryl uncovers the meanings of the Watermelon Woman's life, she experiences a total upheaval in her personal life. She falls in love with a white woman, and banters about race and desire with her best friend Tamara. At the film's close, the Watermelon Woman is clearly a metaphor for Cheryl's search for identity, community and love.
Videos
Movie Clip
Promo
Film Details
MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Period
Release Date
1995
Distribution Company
First Run Features
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 30m
Articles
The Watermelon Woman
Cheryl, a twenty-something black lesbian, is struggling to make a documentary about a beautiful and elusive 1930s film actress, popularly known as the Watermelon Woman. As Cheryl uncovers the meanings of the Watermelon Woman's life, she experiences a total upheaval in her personal life. She falls in love with a white woman, and banters about race and desire with her best friend Tamara.
The Watermelon Woman
Cheryl, a twenty-something black lesbian, is struggling to make a documentary about a beautiful and elusive 1930s film actress, popularly known as the Watermelon Woman. As Cheryl uncovers the meanings of the Watermelon Woman's life, she experiences a total upheaval in her personal life. She falls in love with a white woman, and banters about race and desire with her best friend Tamara.
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States June 13, 1997 (Ken Theater; San Diego)
Re-released in United States November 10, 2016
Winner of the Teddy Award for Best Gay Film at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival.
Released in United States Spring March 5, 1997
Released in United States March 28, 1997
Released in United States April 18, 1997
Released in United States May 9, 1997
Released in United States June 13, 1997
Re-released in United States November 10, 2016
Released in United States September 1995
Released in United States February 1996
Released in United States May 1996
Released in United States June 1996
Released in United States July 1996
Released in United States May 1997
Released in United States 2012
Released in United States 2016
Shown at Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama) February 15-26, 1996.
Shown at Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema May 1-12, 1996.
Shown at San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Opening Night) June 21-30, 1996.
Shown at New York Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Closing Night) June 6-16, 1996.
Shown at Outfest '96: The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival July 11-21, 1996
Shown at Black Harvest International Film and Video Festival at Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago July 1996.
Shown at Philadelphia International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival July 11-21, 1996.
Shown at the Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival May 1997.
Released in United States Spring March 5, 1997
Released in United States March 28, 1997 (NuArt; Los Angeles)
Released in United States April 18, 1997 (Zeitgeist Theater; New Orleans)
Released in United States May 9, 1997 (Brattle Theater; Boston)
Released in United States May 1996 (Shown at Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema May 1-12, 1996.)
Released in United States June 1996 (Shown at San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Opening Night) June 21-30, 1996.)
Released in United States June 1996 (Shown at New York Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Closing Night) June 6-16, 1996.)
Released in United States July 1996 (Shown at Outfest '96: The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival July 11-21, 1996)
Released in United States July 1996 (Shown at Black Harvest International Film and Video Festival at Film Center of the Art Institute of Chicago July 1996.)
Released in United States July 1996 (Shown at Philadelphia International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival July 11-21, 1996.)
Released in United States May 1997 (Shown at the Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival May 1997.)
Feature directorial debut for Cheryl Dunye.
Broadcast in USA over Sundance Channel as part of month-long series "Representing Soul" August 9, 1999.
Completed shooting July 25, 1995.
Released in United States September 1995 (Shown as a "work-in-progress" at Independent Feature Film Market (IFFM) in New York City September 17-24, 1995.)
Released in United States February 1996 (Shown at Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama) February 15-26, 1996.)
Began shooting July 10, 1995.
Released in United States 2012 (U.S. Features)
Released in United States 2016 (Global Visions)
