Bristol Kino Club presents The Watermelon Woman in collaboration with Cables & Cameras. You must join us to commemorate the groundbreaking directorial debut of Cheryl Dunye, a trailblazer of black queer cinema.

The film follows a twenty-something black lesbian, Cheryl, working as a clerk in a video store while struggling to make a documentary about Fae Richards, an obscure black actress from the 1930s. Cheryl is surprised to discover that Richards (known popularly as "the Watermelon Woman") had a white lesbian lover. At the same time, Cheryl falls in love with a very cute white customer at the video store.

Playfully switching between 16mm film and the glorious, radical, and short-lived 1990s grainy videotape aesthetic, Dunye layers slices of everyday life with black-and-white archival bits about Fae.

Even after 25 years, Watermelon Woman manages to remain relevant because of its astute commentary on navigating the intersectionality and dizzying crossroads of being both Black and Queer.

Vanity Fair describes the film as “an impressive landmark work, a wry, deeply stylish comedy that is a must-watch for ’90s essentialists.”

The film's lasting impact has earned it a selection into the Criterion’s ‘Black Cinema Spotlight’ and more recently given the 2021 Cinema Eye Honors Legacy Award.

This screening is about uplifting the lives and works of influential auteurs who have for far too long been overlooked or not given the notoriety they deserve. For this month we focus on the stories of QTIPoC films and filmmakers. This cult classic is made to be enjoyed on a big screen. Join us to celebrate independent cinema and become a part of our film club.

For updates on this event or events like this follow @BristolKinoClub on Instagram and Twitter.

See you there.

Contact E-mail Address: BristolKinoClub@gmail.com

Find us on social media!

Cables&Cameras
Insta : @cablescameras
Twitter: @cables_cameras

Bristol Kino Club
Instagram: @BristolKinoClub
Twitter: @BristolKinoClub