The Watermelon Woman

The Watermelon Woman (1996) - I suppose that as a homosexual white British man, I probably wasn't exactly the target audience for this Black, Lesbian film from the U. S., although that in itself goes against my belief that people should explore genres out of their comfort zone, because otherwise they will never know if there is more to life. I could certainly see the appeal of this one for some and the message it was trying to get out. I just didn't like the sex scenes very much (Eek Boobies!). For the most part, the story was fictionalised and the title character of "The Watermelon Woman" was a vehicle to discuss the injustices of racial bigotry in the world of cinema since the dawn of it's creation and to a certain extent the rest of the time since too. Although this film did indicate some essence of racism towards white people, for the fact that they allegedly can't understand the persecutions faced by the black community and I wondered if that was deliberate or something that was a missed irony. The lead character Cheryl played by the writer and director Cheryl Dunye wanted to track down the movements of The Watermelon Woman's past to find out what had happened to her and she studied the golden age of cinema in order to do so. Her journey was quite interesting. I did have to wonder if the whole film might have actually been better if it was presented as a documentary, about actual, real actors of the past that weren't given their dues accordingly. There was a mention of Hattie McDaniel included here. She was famously snubbed at the Oscars when she went to receive her award for the part of Mammy in 'Gone With The Wind' (1939) and was made to sit in another room and only allowed to enter the main area for the presentation of her statue. Her story was partly covered in the TV series 'Hollywood' (2020) and I'm sure that wasn't delivered wholeheartedly or completely truthfully, because it was a very glamourised interpretation of the early years of Hollywood anyway and it dared to conceive an idea that perhaps these prejudices and things should have been exposed much earlier for their idiocy. I did say that it might have worked better as a documentary, because I could see that Cheryl was obviously passionate about her message, but the acting really wasn't the best and the film quality was quite poor too, not even just the bits where it was filmed on an old video camera. There were some cheap and odd editing choices and many of the characters were a tad unfriendly while others were perfectly odd including the "Professor" and the C. L. I. T. volunteer (Sarah Schulman). The style of it actually reminded me of 'Tangerine' (2015), a trans/drag film which was filmed entirely on a smart phone. There were similarities in the direction and the attempt at realism, but this film was far less obnoxious of course, because 'Tangerine' was vile. It also had a hint of 'Not Another Gay Movie' (2006) too. Those producers, etc must surely have taken inspiration from this film, because the video shop was almost identical. Not really my thing, but I would definitely recommend it to the appropriate people, because I know some that would appreciate it for its various plus points. 606.19/1000.

source: The Watermelon Woman

The Watermelon Woman is a unique film that's part fictional documentary and part drama with just a bit of comedy thrown in too. The movie is mainly focused on black lesbians in philly and follows one of them making a documentary on a famous black lesbian from the 30s. Going into this film I thought that I as a straight white guy wouldn't get much out of the film, but I was wrong. This film has a compelling story and powerful message anyone can learn from, just don't take your kids there is some slight nudity in the film, but other than that it's a must watch for everyone.

Cheryl is a worker in a video store, with a video business on the side. she meets Diana in the video store, and that's the start of the adventure. lots of filming, lots of chit chat, bumming around town while Cheryl asks family, friends, and local experts what they know about the "watermelon woman", from old hollywood. very loosely based on the stories of Dorothy Arzner, and/or early, black actresses. some conflicts... between Cheryl and her co-worker Tamara, and then between Cheryl and Diana. but the conflicts feel a little scripted; we never really find out the reason for the disagreements, or the resolution. it's an entertaining 90 minutes. some repetition, where she keeps showing the same scene from a black and while film that she adores. we see the struggles Cheryl has trying to track down an obscure figure from way back when. mostly well done. Written, directed, and starring Cheryl Dunye. She had done mostly short films up to now.

Really great movie loved the documentary style seaming with the actual film fun characters great transitions inbetween shots and enjoyed how random some of the cuts or scene transitions are

Fabulous depiction of a film within a documentary within a film, thought provoking and well executed. Poignant, and seething with undercurrents of racism sexism and political correctness, I loved this movie, despite having initially viewed it for a university assignment. Whilst character profiles may seem a little two dimensional, this film concentrates upon the superficial, and the role that history plays in designing the self. Perhaps the main question raised for me about the film was when does something become real? If the watermelon woman does not indeed exist, then when does her history become truth, and is it through the making of this film?

Caught this on TCM a few days ago, and I was completely struck by the dope honesty of this experience. Sure it's not real life, but it's something so like it distilled into a romp of exploration. You are in on the mystery and detective work of historical research as both you and Cheryl Dunye (the character) find out together the elusive truth of The Watermelon Woman. A bravura accomplishment of pro filmmaking that succeeds without the varnish or tarnish thereof.

This film is about a young woman who wants to do a film project but can't think of anything worthwhile, until a character in an old film takes her interest. She decides to make the actress, listed in the film's credits as 'the watermelon woman', the subject of her project. In the scenes that follow, she discovers the the actress's life mirrors certain elements of her own. It is a gentle story about love, disillusionment, race and time- how we don't have much of it. The acting is spontaneous and fresh, with well developed characters- no one is presented as perfect, or evil. It is not a template film- no car chases, no rom-com clichés (or clever twists on them). Like all good thoughtful films it makes us look within. For some people this is uncomfortable. I am none of the things the main character is, but for a short while she has communicated a little bit of what it feels like to be her.

There are themes and issues in this film that are obvious, but well defined and used - lesbianism, racism, interracial relationships.... and the ups and downs of working in a video rental shop. All that aside, I have to say that, for me "The Watermelon Woman" is all about obsession. Ah - obsession! The obsession in this case is our leading lady's obsession with a marginal black actress in black & white movies of days long gone by, credited in the films on as "The Watermelon Woman." Who was she... what was her real name... why was she someone to obsess upon? Our lovely leading lesbian begins a journey of body and mind to find the truth of the Watermelon Woman and her life. I tell you obsession is a wondrous thing... when you find something (or, if you're me, many things) to obsess on, your life will be filed with the richness of discovery.. and you'll never be a boring party guest. So, have a look at "The Watermelon Woman," who knows you may just find yourself obsessed. Super sweet.

This is a very lighthearted film about a black video store clerk (Cheryl Dunye) who wants to make a documentary about an early black actress, known only as The Watermelon Woman." The fact that both Cheryl (Dunye) and the actress are lesbians keeps her going. In fact, in life imitating art, Cheryl finds that The Watermelon Woman was having a lesbian relationship with a white director, and then, she begins a relationship with a white video store customer (Guinevere Turner - American Psycho, Itty Bitty Titty Committee). The film explored black language, early black actresses, black lesbians, mammies, and watermelon. It even featured an interview with Camille Paglia discussing mammies and watermelon in the context of blacks and Italians, It's nice to see Italians spoken of in something other than the Mob. Her BFF Tamera (Valarie Walker) is a party girl, but she draws the line at interracial relationships, and that causes a problem for Cheryl. There are a lot of good scenes throughout the movie, and it made it worthwhile even if the acting wasn't particularly good. The end credits will surprise you.