The Watermelon Woman
About the event
Video store clerk and aspiring filmmaker Cheryl sets out to uncover the story of a forgotten 1930s Black actress known only as ‘The Watermelon Woman’. Dunye’s groundbreaking debut is both a detective story and a personal journey of identity, desire and filmmaking. The first feature directed by a Black lesbian, this is a major work of queer cinema and feminist film history. Restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The relaxed screening on X date is curated by Stims Collective and hosted by BFI Festival Events Coordinator Erène Bennett. There will be a post-screening discussion that invites audience members to explore the film from neurodiverse perspectives. Relaxed screenings are presented each month for those in the neuro-diverse community and their assistants and carers. More detailed information can be found at bfi.org.uk/relaxed. Tickets £4. See our Big Screen Classics selection of Black screen classics. Screen: NFT2. Screening details: Special screening available; Intro by Grace Barber-Plentie, BFI Festivals Programmer.
