The Watermelon Woman
Black lesbian romcom has sex, nudity, racial commentary.
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The Watermelon Woman
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Watermelon Woman is a smart, sexy, and poignant movie from 1996 that blends racial commentary, mockumentary, realism, and romance. Written, directed, produced, and starring Cheryl Dunye, it's known as the first feature length movie to be released by an out Black lesbian. Semi-autobiographical, Cheryl's character treads gently on political ground as she investigates the representation of Black women in movies which -- through their neglect -- highlights institutional racism. Lighthearted in tone, the film has flirtatious banter and an intimate scene that shows two people having sex where bare breasts and buttocks are shown. Occasional language such as "s--t," "f--k," the "N" word, and "d-ke" is used without aggression between lesbian characters who also occasionally drink in bars and share a rolled up cannabis joint.
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What's the Story?
In THE WATERMELON WOMAN, Cheryl (Cheryl Dunye) -- a young Black lesbian filmmaker (also the director and writer) -- discovers an actress from a 1930s movie simply credited as "The Watermelon Woman." Intrigued, she embarks on a quest to find her true identity while unpicking the "mammy" archetypes of Hollywood. As she delves into the past, her present soon becomes preoccupied with dating Diana (Guinevere Turner), a White woman she meets at the video store she works in.
Is It Any Good?
An underground cult classic, this romantic comedy-drama has found a wider audience due to the work of Black women and LGBTQ+ cinema being more appreciated and sought after within mainstream culture. Released in 1996, The Watermelon Woman is hailed as the first feature film to be directed by an out Black lesbian and is now often referenced as an example of sharp, witty, intelligent, and provocative filmmaking that sweetly blends documentary, fiction, comedy, and romance. Dunye is instantly likable as she takes us on a journey through her own personal history (yes that is her real mother, Irene), adjacent to an archaeological dig through the history of representation of Black women, (no Faye Richards is not a real person but the sentiment of looking for the untold stories or uncredited Black women actors is, paradoxically, a reality). Cheryl's gentle storytelling allows room for a scrumptious romantic thread that hits all the beats of a stylish romcom exploring interracial dating. All these ingredients, in a slender 90 minutes, make for a thoughtful and satisfying watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the LGBTQ+ community was represented in The Watermelon Woman. Are the women in the movie stereotyped for who they chose to date? Despite the film being released in 1996 does it still feel progressive in that way?
How did the film portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
The film explores the stereotypical "mammy" roles many Black women were restricted to in movies. What is a "mammy" and why are these roles problematic? Why does representation matter?
The movie came out in 1996 and is finding more of an audience now. Why do you think that is?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 5, 1996
- On DVD or streaming: May 9, 2000
- Cast: Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker
- Director: Cheryl Dunye
- Studio: First Run Features
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Friendship, History
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 24, 2023
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