Contrary to IMDB describing this movie as a "drama/documentary," it's actually a comedy/MOCKumentary. Cheryl Dunye plays "Cheryl Dunye," a video store employee who is making a documentary about a black film actress from the 1930s. The 1930s actress is a fictional character, and Dunye does a nice job integrating the "film within a film" into her story.

Yes there are dramatic elements, particularly around race relations in the lesbian community. But there are many comedic moments, and very droll one liners. Dunye does a nice job gently poking fun at lesbians, African Americans, and radical leftists (the scene at the Center for Lesbian Info and Technology -- figure out THAT acronism -- is hilarious).

Some of the acting is amateurish (though Dunye herself is a standout! I wish she would keep appearing on-camera in other films. She's very talented). And Dunye the director should have done re-takes in a couple of shots where the actors blow their lines. But the clever idea of a mockumentary really makes the film interesting -- nice debut for Dunye. Will be interesting to see how her career pans out.

The Watermelon Woman (1996) was written and directed by Cheryl Dunye. Dunye also stars. The film introduction included the information that this was the first movie to be directed by an openly lesbian Black director.

We learned that Dunye was a film student who wanted to make a documentary about Black women in 1930's movies. Except for movies made for Black audiences, Black women were invariably cast as servants or slaves. Very often their names didn't appear in the movie credits.

Rather than actually doing the documentary, Dunye made a narrative film about a woman (herself) trying to make the documentary. It sounds strange, but it makes sense when you're watching it.

We saw the movie at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre at the George Eastman Museum. It will work well enough on the small screen. It's not a movie for everyone, but it's an important film, and worth seeing.

There are hundreds upon thousands of lesbian movies, and the majority are labelled "Adult". Name one lesbian movie about black women that isn't pornographic? Watching this one was something I could relate to. Finally, a movie touching on black history, interracial attraction, stereotypes, and the fictional day-in-the-life of an aspiring film-maker. More original than most, speaking as a black woman. Excuse the bad technology, and you've got a story about a woman researching her black history and getting laid in the process! Maybe she couldn't get the rights to do "The Aunt Jemima Story". You know, that black maid who's face stared back at you from the pancake box, having gone through a few make-overs through the years? There's even a scene where Cheryl holds up movie stills of black actresses playing the usual slave/maid who become unknowns in the process. Well, this is one important movie for me, and I hope more people appreciate this as they listen to Cheryl's closing monologue. Now this movie deserves a remake!

6/10