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?

Today (Tuesday 1st July)

18:15

Femme 18
£6 for Members
1h 39m
Adapted from the BAFTA-nominated short, this striking queer revenge thriller twists power and identity into provocative territory. A stylish, seductive and a bold new entry in modern queer cinema, starring George MacKay and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett.

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21:00

Once Upon a Time in a Forest Cert-TBC
£6 for Members
1h 33m | Finnish w/ English subtitles
In Finland’s ancient forests, 22-year-old Ida leads a new environmental movement. As industry threatens nature’s balance, this lyrical documentary captures her fight to protect the land she loves. Part of UK Green Film Festival 2025.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 2nd July)

15:45

The Salt Path 12A
1h 55m
Evicted and facing illness, a couple embarks on a 630-mile walk along England’s coast. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, this moving adaptation of Raynor Winn’s memoir is a story of love, survival, and resilience.

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18:15

The Ballad of Wallis Island 12A
1h 40m
A reclusive lottery winner reunites his favourite band (and old flames) for one last gig. But as memories resurface, so do old wounds. A melancholic British comedy starring Carey Mulligan and Tim Key about lost love and music.

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20:30

Along Came Love 15
2h 3m | French w/ English subtitles
In postwar France, a single mother falls for a younger student, but secrets soon threaten their fragile romance. Inspired by her own family history, Katell Quillévéré’s richly emotional film explores identity across generations.

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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!