With the title a clear nod to Marvin Van Peeble’s outrageous film The Watermelon Man, Cheryl Dunye’s The Watermelon Woman deserves its own spotlight as the first feature-length film written and directed by an out Black lesbian about Black lesbians. The Watermelon Woman dives into the world of Cheryl, a disgruntled video store employee and aspiring documentarian with a mission to find the identity of a black actress from the 1930s credited in one film as “The Watermelon Woman”. The film has received numerous accolades and has since become a cult favourite.

Queerly Beloved is presented in partnership with Paradise.

• • “A film of such multitudinous interests and storytelling pursuits that its unfolding replicates the ecstasy of newfound romance.” – Slant
  • “Funny and smart, full of biting humor and astute observations about identity and history.” – Village Voice
  • “The hottest dyke sex scene ever recorded on celluloid.” –  Philadelphia City Paper