”The Watermelon Woman” (1996) and How it Explores the Mammy Role (Analysis)

(Guinevere Turner and Cheryl Dunye in "The Watermelon Woman"0

 

"THE WATERMELON WOMAN"

U.S.A., 1996

Written/Directed: Cheryl Dunye

Starring: Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker

Synopsis: 25 year old Cheryl is a black, lesbian filmmaker in Philadelphia with a purpose to make a documentary centering on a forgotten 1930’s actress while dealing with issues of race and homophobia. 

 

Stream "The Watermelon Woman" on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Youtube TV.

 

Watch Trailer: Here

 

Sources:

Ellen E. Jones - "From Mammy to Ma" 

 

Yohana Desta - "'The Watermelon Woman':The Enduring Cool of a Black Lesbian Classic"

 

Shane Downing - "The Watermelon Woman": 20 Years Later..."

 

Music: 

Jose Gomez & Raymond Velez

 

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