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THE WATERMELON WOMAN

Directed by: Cheryl Dunye

Runtime: 90 min

Year: 1996

Country: USA

Rated: Not Rated

Language: English

Film Type: Dramatic

Post-film discussion about the impact of the film and 90's independent American cinema with the University of Utah Associate Professor Sarah E. S. Sinwell, moderated by KUER's RadioWest host Doug Fabrizio.

Presented as part of our Through the Lens series, which for 2022 features a collaboration with the University of Utah’s Department of Film and Media Arts to present an extended exploration of what many Film Lovers regard as the “Classic Films” in cinematic history

Screening of the 1996 New Queer Cinema & Independent film classic. The post-film conversation will ask the question “Why is this film a classic and who is it a classic for?”

The story of Cheryl, a twenty-something Black lesbian struggling to make a documentary about Fae Richards, a beautiful and elusive 1930s black film actress popularly known as “The Watermelon Woman.” While uncovering the meaning of Fae Richards’ life, Cheryl experiences a total upheaval in her personal life. Her love affair with Diana, a beautiful white woman, and her interactions with the gay and Black communities are subject to the comic yet biting criticism of her best friend Tamara Meanwhile, each answer Cheryl discovers about the Watermelon Woman evokes a flurry of new questions about herself and her future.

 


Screening presented in partnership with:


Through The Lens series presented in partnership with:
KUER 90.1RadioWest


Through The Lens series funded in part by:

 

Awards

Teddy Award for Best Feature Film–1996 Berlin International Film Festival
Outstanding Narrative Feature–1996 L.A. Outfest

Official Selection:

1996 Toronto International Film Festival

Honors:

2021 Selected to the National Film Registry

Wednesday, May 18 @ 7:00 PM

In Person |

Jeanné Wagner Theatre – Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center

Post-film discussion with Associate Professor Sarah E. S. Sinwell, moderated by KUER's RadioWest host Doug Fabrizio.

Free

Restrictions: RSVP required • Masks required • Seating will be at a reduced capacity.

ADA accommodations are available. If you have additional needs, please visit our Accessibility page to connect with an ADA coordinator.

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