The Watermelon Woman (1997): Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Watermelon Woman is a 1997 drama directed by Cheryl Dunye. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $1,989 worldwide. Critics gave it 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Cheryl Dunye
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First Run Features
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Watermelon Woman About?
The premise of The Watermelon Woman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Aspiring filmmaker Cheryl Dunye sets out to create a documentary about Fae Richards, a forgotten black actress from the 1930s known as "The Watermelon Woman." While researching Richards’ life in 1990s Philadelphia, Cheryl explores the complexities of race, sexuality, and representation within the queer community. The project becomes a journey of self-discovery as Cheryl uncovers surprising details about Richards’ career and a hidden same-sex relationship, prompting her to confront her own identity and the challenges of filmmaking.
The Watermelon Woman Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- independent film
- philadelphia pennsylvania
- african american
- 1930s
- lesbian
- video store
- feminist film
- new queer cinema
- wedding
- interview
- karaoke
- marijuana
+38 more Show fewer
- national film registry
- black lesbian
- actress
- 1990s
- female female kiss
- title directed by female
- fake documentary
- filmmaking
- triple f rated
- documentary filmmaker
- film historian
- interracial lesbian relationship
- library
- wedding videographer
- african american filmmaker
- street interview
- double date
- blind date
- bryn mawr pennsylvania
- written by director
- actress director producer writer
- lesbian interest
- interracial romance
- racial stereotype
- female frontal nudity
- archetype
- karaoke singer
- african american actress
- stereotype
- street musician
- police officer
- photograph
- librarian
- sex scene
- maid
- archivist
- female rear nudity
- f rated
The Director of The Watermelon Woman
Directed by Cheryl Dunye.
- Director Cheryl Dunye
More from Cheryl Dunye
More films directed by Cheryl Dunye, best-rated first: My Baby's Daddy, Brother From Another Time, Black Is Blue and Valencia.
The Watermelon Woman Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Watermelon Woman 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 74 Metascore
User score 6.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
The Watermelon Woman Plot Summary
What happens in The Watermelon Woman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Cheryl, a young African American lesbian, holds down a job at a video rental store in Philadelphia alongside her friend, Tamara. In addition to their day-to-day work, they delve into the world of professional home video creation, providing services to clients seeking personal recordings. Cheryl’s curiosity leads her to the classic films of the 1930s and 40s that prominently feature black actresses, many of whom are not given proper credit for their contributions. This fascination intensifies when she discovers a film titled Plantation Memories, showcasing a black actress only referred to as “The Watermelon Woman.”
Full summary
The whole story of The Watermelon Woman, scene by scene
The Watermelon Woman Box Office
The Watermelon Woman grossed $1,989 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2K
- US & Canada
- $2K
The Watermelon Woman Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 2 featurettes.
- Clip Cheryl Explains it All
- Clip "I'm very attracted to you"
- Clip A Flirty Customer
- Featurette Mark Kermode Reviews Watermelon Woman (1996)
How Well Do You Know The Watermelon Woman?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the protagonist of 'The Watermelon Woman'?
The Watermelon Woman Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “워터멜론 우먼, საზამთრო ქალი” and “寻找西瓜女”.
- Also known as
-
- 워터멜론 우먼, საზამთრო ქალი
- 寻找西瓜女
- Женщина-арбуз
- La dona de la síndria
Seen The Watermelon Woman?
Movies Like The Watermelon Woman
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Watermelon, She Don’t Fade and An Untitled Portrait.
-
Watermelon 2003 -
She Don’t Fade 1992 -
An Untitled Portrait 1993 -
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It) 2006 -
The Chronology of Water 2025 -
Film About a Woman Who… 1974 -
Year of the Woman 1973 -
Watermelon Juice 2019 -
T-Wo-Men 1972 -
I Could Never Be Your Woman 2007 -
Thirsty 2019 -
Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema 2006
The Watermelon Woman FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Watermelon Woman, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Watermelon Woman?
The Watermelon Woman runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was The Watermelon Woman released?
The Watermelon Woman was released on March 5, 1997.
Who directed The Watermelon Woman?
The Watermelon Woman was directed by Cheryl Dunye.
More films by Cheryl Dunye How much did The Watermelon Woman make at the box office?
The Watermelon Woman grossed $1,989 worldwide.
How is The Watermelon Woman rated?
The Watermelon Woman has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 74 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Does The Watermelon Woman have a post-credit scene?
No. The Watermelon Woman has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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