The Watermelon Woman (1996; Dir.: Cheryl Dunye)
Canon Fodder Episode 33
Daniel and Corky share their thoughts on Cheryl Dunye’s groundbreaking The Watermelon Woman, widely cited as the first feature film directed by an out black lesbian. But did your hosts love this lo-fi rom-com or was it the pits?
THE WATERMELON WOMAN FACTS & FIGURES
Sight & Sound  2022 Critics Poll Ranking: #146 (tied)
World premiere: February 1996 at the Berlin International Film Festival
IMDB synopsis: “A young black lesbian filmmaker probes into the life of The Watermelon Woman, a 1930s black actress who played ‘mammy’ archetypes.”
CLIPS & CLIPPINGS
Trailer for The Watermelon Woman
Introducing Fae Richards
Video store meet-cute
NEXT EPISODE’S MOVIE
Happy Together (1997; Dir.: Wong Kar-Wai)
IMDB synopsis: “A couple take a trip to Argentina but both men find their lives drifting apart in opposite directions.”
Our review of Happy Together comes out on March 25!
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