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

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

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Tomorrow (Tuesday 5th May)

17:45

Father Mother Sister Brother 15
£6 for Members / HOH Subtitles
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Acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch weaves stories across New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, where siblings reunite amid family tensions and tragedy. Starring Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, this Golden Lion-winning triptych blends quiet humour with poignant insight.

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20:15

Orwell: 2+2=5 15
£6 for Members
1h 59m
Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck, collaborating with the Orwell Estate, explores George Orwell’s life and legacy through archival footage, diary readings and contemporary imagery. Engaging with 1984 and Animal Farm, this urgent documentary reveals the enduring relevance of his prophetic vision.

Book here


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