The Watermelon Woman15

Directed by Cheryl Dunye | USA | 1996 | 1h 25m | Starring Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner, Valarie Walker, Lisa Marie Bronson, Cheryl Clarke

In 1990s Philadelphia, a young black lesbian filmmaker begins making a documentary about Fae Richards, an obscure black actress from the 1930s known as “the watermelon woman.” As she delves into Fae’s story, surprising and resonant parallels to her own life began to emerge. Balancing breezy rom-com with a serious inquiry into the history of Black and queer women in Hollywood, Cheryl Dunye gave cinema something bracingly new and groundbreaking: a vibrant representation of Black lesbian identity by a Black lesbian filmmaker.

Reviews

‘Dunye’s smart and poignant twisting of history makes the film a timeless statement.’
★★★★
Calum Baker, Radio Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Watermelon Woman between March 11, 2024 and March 14, 2024.

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What else is on?

Tomorrow (Monday 20th May)

18:00

Big Night 15
1h 49m
Stanley Tucci stars and directs this heartwarming and insightful comedy about two Italian brothers living in 1950s New Jersey hosting a spectacular banquet in a final effort to save their failing business.

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20:30

Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry 15
1h 50m | Georgian w/ English subtitles
In a Georgian village, a middle-aged woman vows never to marry, causing intrigue amongst the locals. But when she unexpectedly begins to fall in love, she must choose between her life of independence and romance.

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Tuesday 21st May

18:15

Mapantsula 15
1h 43m | Zulu w/ English subtitles
A petty gangster is caught up in Township riots in this cult classic crime drama, the first anti-Apartheid film shot guerrilla style on the streets of Soweto. Screening marking the 30th anniversary of South African Freedom Day.

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20:45

Challengers 15
2h 11m
Jealousy, lust, and betrayal take centre court in this propulsively energetic love-triangle sports drama starring Zendaya and Josh O'Connor, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name).

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!