IN CINEMA

Thursday, May 8th at 7PM
Co-presented with Uptown Flicks as part of the Upper West Side Cinema Center 2025 Spring/Summer Series "For the Love of Cinema"

THE WATERMELON WOMAN

Cheryl Dunye, United States, 1996, 84 min

Cheryl Dunye made cinematic history with THE WATERMELON WOMAN, the first American feature to be directed by a black lesbian as well as an incisive, humorous critique of classic Hollywood's racist stereotypes. Dunye plays an eponymous video store employee and burgeoning filmmaker who sets out to make a documentary on THE WATERMELON WOMAN (Lisa Marie Bronson), an actress who specialized in "mammy" roles for Hollywood productions of the 30s and 40s. As Cheryl uncovers the Watermelon Woman's identity she not only learns about a secret behind-the-scenes interracial romance but also begins one of her own with Diana (Guinevere Turner), a white woman who arouses the ire of Cheryl's best friend Tamara (Valarie Walker). A landmark of the New Queer Cinema, THE WATERMELON WOMAN testifies to the power of excavating legacies of oppression and in the process creates a progressive legacy of its own.

Post-Screening Discussion with Actor Valarie Walker and Cocktail Reception for all attendees!

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The Upper West Side Cinema Center (UWSCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the historic Metro Theater into a five-screen cinema arts and education center with a community bistro. Led by film industry veterans Ira Deutchman and Adeline Monzier, and supported by an advisory committee including Martin Scorsese, Frances McDormand, and other luminaries, the UWS Cinema Center represents a community-driven effort to revitalize a cultural landmark and enrich the neighborhood through the power of film.

$15 General Admission / $7 Reduced Price