The Watermelon Woman (1996)
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- Unrated
- 1h 25min
- Comedy, Drama
- 05 Mar 1997 (USA)
- Movie
A young black lesbian filmmaker probes into the life of The Watermelon Woman, a 1930s black actress who played 'mammy' archetypes.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 4 wins.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Cheryl Dunye | ... |
Cheryl
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| Guinevere Turner | ... |
Diana
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Valarie Walker | ... |
Tamara
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Lisa Marie Bronson | ... |
Fae 'The Watermelon Woman' Richards
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Cheryl Clarke | ... |
June Walker
(as Cheryl Clark)
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Irene Dunye | ... |
Irene Dunye
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Brian Freeman | ... |
Lee Edwards
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Ira Jeffries | ... |
Shirley Hamilton
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Alexandra Juhasz | ... |
Martha Page
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| Camille Paglia | ... |
Camille Paglia
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Sarah Schulman | ... |
CLIT Archivist
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| V.S. Brodie | ... |
Karaoke Singer
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Shelley Olivier | ... |
Annie Heath
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David Rakoff | ... |
Librarian
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Toshi Reagon | ... |
Street Musician
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Christopher Ridenhour | ... |
Bob
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| Kat L Robertson | ... |
Yvette
(as a different name)
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Jocelyn Taylor | ... |
Stacey
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Bill Wayterra | ... |
Photographer
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Elaine Freeman | ... |
Bride's Mother
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Erin Cramer | ... |
Bride
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| Wellington Love | ... |
Groom
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Toni Nash | ... |
Groom's Mother
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Zoe Goldberg | ... |
Little White Girl
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Calder Goldberg | ... |
Little White Boy
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Shanell Johnson | ... |
Little Black Girl 1
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Olivia Bokelman | ... |
Little Black Girl 2
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Madelyn Bokelman | ... |
Little Black Girl 3
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Barry Swimar | ... |
Relative in Yamulke
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Sara Vogt | ... |
'Plantation Memories' Mistress / Cassandra Brooke (photo)
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Ana Margaret Sanchez | ... |
'Souls of Deceit' Mulatto
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| Eve Oishi | ... |
Karaoke Cute Girl / Woman in Audience (photo)
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Joy Malinowski | ... |
Emcee
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Anthony Christopher | ... |
Black Banker on the Street
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| Suzi Nash | ... |
Black School Teacher on the Street
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Earl Pittman | ... |
Sorry Rosie 1
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Jonathan Ellis | ... |
Sorry Rosie 2
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T. LaMonte McKinnon | ... |
Sorry Rosie 3
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S. Elizabeth Evans | ... |
Leather Girl on the Street
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Amadee Braxton | ... |
Bus Stop Girl 1
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Denise Sneed | ... |
Bus Stop Girl 2
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Robert Reid-Pharr | ... |
Street Queen in Library Line / Fred DeShields (photo)
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David Hanson | ... |
Grungy White Boy
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Rita Porter | ... |
White Woman at Produce Truck
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Brian Baisemore | ... |
Produce Man
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Gail Lloyd | ... |
Diana's Black Date
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Tatum Kendall | ... |
White Girl Student 1
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Tania Galloni | ... |
White Girl Student 2
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Jake Carlo | ... |
White Boy Student
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Zanobia Webb | ... |
Poet
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Nana Korantemaa | ... |
Drummer
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Nana Akousa Agyiriwah | ... |
Percussionist
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Virginia Manning | ... |
Annie's Girlfriend
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Patricia Ellis | ... |
Mrs. Page-Fletcher
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Lillie Hayes | ... |
Her Maid
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James Charles Roberts | ... |
Newsreel Narrator (voice)
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Robert Sciasci | ... |
Police Officer
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A. Ron Marigna | ... |
Police Officer
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Donnita Hamilton | ... |
June's Next Door Neighbor
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Rashida Abdul-Azim | ... |
More Additional Cast
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Carlos Alvarez | ... |
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Lynn Anderson | ... |
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Anjali Arondekar | ... |
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Monique Bargyh | ... |
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Christopher James Barrwett | ... |
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Roberta Batts | ... |
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Calvin Beckwith | ... |
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Wilson Beckwith | ... |
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April Blount | ... |
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Amy Brown | ... |
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Dale Brown | ... |
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Dorothy Buffin | ... |
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Daniel Callare | ... |
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Linda Carcel | ... |
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Tracey Carr | ... |
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Thomas Casey | ... |
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Lina Champlin | ... |
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Angela Clay | ... |
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Teresa Clay | ... |
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Inja Coates | ... |
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| Emmy Collins | ... |
Video Browser
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Lorenza Collins | ... |
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Tim Comerford | ... |
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Michelle Corbi | ... |
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Felicita Cosby | ... |
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Paula Cramer | ... |
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Julie Crawford | ... |
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Josette Crosby | ... |
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Glenda Custalow | ... |
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Lee Dawson | ... |
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Olga De Jesus | ... |
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Andrea Deutsch | ... |
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Antoinette Dickerson | ... |
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H. Dickerson | ... |
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Palesa Bev Ditsie | ... |
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Tania Dixon | ... |
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Bruce Dunn | ... |
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Gail Edmonds | ... |
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Jere Edmunds | ... |
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Beverly Farlwood | ... |
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Elizabeth Fixher | ... |
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Kathleen E. Forde | ... |
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Len Freeman | ... |
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Anika R. Gales | ... |
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Sidney Gallien | ... |
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Jonita Gass | ... |
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Margaret Gattuso | ... |
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Mark Gattuso | ... |
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Verlice Gay | ... |
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Warren Gel | ... |
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Jason W. George | ... |
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Erica Gilmore | ... |
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Sofia Ginzburg | ... |
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Deborah Goldberg | ... |
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Mickey Goldhaber | ... |
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Marjorie Good | ... |
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Claudia Gordon | ... |
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Karen Grabowski | ... |
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David Grimes | ... |
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Kathryn Grooms | ... |
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Sharon Gunther | ... |
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Inbal Guy | ... |
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Margaret Hargrove | ... |
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Michael Harris | ... |
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Gregory Heard | ... |
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Keith Hicks | ... |
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Dwight Hockaday | ... |
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Ellen Holloman | ... |
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Allison Huyett | ... |
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Evan Jackson | ... |
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Robert Jefferson | ... |
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James Johnson | ... |
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Robert E. Jones | ... |
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Antonia Juhasz | ... |
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Jushi | ... |
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Heiole Kleier | ... |
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Aisha Moss Koonce | ... |
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Marya Kuklick | ... |
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Rue Landau | ... |
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Tania Lihatsh | ... |
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David Long | ... |
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Kenneth Lupold Jr. | ... |
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Bobbie Mandell | ... |
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Reba Mayo | ... |
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| Orion McCabe | ... |
More Additional Cast
(as Ryan McCabe)
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Brian McCarthy | ... |
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Lee McCosker | ... |
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John McLachlan | ... |
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Carol Miller | ... |
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Wendy Mitchell | ... |
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Jessica Moriber | ... |
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Mary Morrell | ... |
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Patricia Moyer | ... |
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Kirsten Muenster | ... |
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Richard Mulhearn | ... |
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E. Colin Murphy | ... |
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Vincent Natale | ... |
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Keshia Nedd | ... |
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Jack Novick | ... |
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Christina E. Page | ... |
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Denise Parker | ... |
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Damascene Paul | ... |
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Lorne Peart | ... |
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Deborah Peterson | ... |
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Anthony Picozzi | ... |
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Barbara Pietsch | ... |
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Susan Price | ... |
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Valencia Prosper | ... |
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Charlene Ramsumair | ... |
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Danielle Rogal | ... |
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James Powell | ... |
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Tasha Prosper | ... |
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John Renzulli | ... |
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Dawn Rhodes | ... |
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David Rivera | ... |
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Arnie Roberts | ... |
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Michael Romeo | ... |
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William Rudolph | ... |
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Christa Sakel | ... |
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Denis Sakel | ... |
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Sierra Sakel | ... |
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Alan Samulski | ... |
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Rob Sbar | ... |
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(as Robert Sbar)
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Ed Segal | ... |
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Steve Segal | ... |
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Mohan Sikka | ... |
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Karen Simmons | ... |
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Nesbit Singletary | ... |
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Mayika Singley | ... |
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Robert Snyder | ... |
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Shelley Spector | ... |
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Monique Sprigg | ... |
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Catherine Stamus | ... |
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Charles Stratton | ... |
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Deanna Subick | ... |
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Sabrina Sullivan | ... |
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Randall Swift | ... |
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Danielle Taylor | ... |
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Jason Tenteno | ... |
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Lawrence Thomas | ... |
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Edward Torres | ... |
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Veronica Vale | ... |
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Terese Vekteris | ... |
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David Waldman | ... |
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Carol Wells | ... |
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Jacqueline Westbrook | ... |
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Herbert Whitaker | ... |
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Cordelia Williams | ... |
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Deborah Williams | ... |
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Gregory Williams | ... |
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Leslie Williams | ... |
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Sharifa Williams | ... |
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Delores Wilson | ... |
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Kelly Wilson | ... |
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Lois Wilson | ... |
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Michael Winn | ... |
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Chanda Wood | ... |
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Desire Woodson | ... |
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K. Brent Hill | ... |
J.J. Liberty
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Jody Benjamin | ... |
Jody
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Claudine Benoit | ... |
Butch at Party
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Zoe Bissel | ... |
White Bar Dyke
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Anna Blume | ... |
Eleanor Van Clyde
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Mark Breitenberg | ... |
Claude Thornton
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Kenrick Cato | ... |
Ray Blake / NAACP
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Kristina Deutsch | ... |
Sandra Vincent
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Charlene Gilbert | ... |
Card Playing Dyke
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Reggie Griffin | ... |
Hambone Jones
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Valerie Manenti | ... |
Rent Party and White Bar Dyke
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Lilly Marnell | ... |
Femme at Party
(as Lily Marnell)
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Fawn McGee | ... |
Bobbi / Willa Clarke
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Darrell Moore | ... |
NAACP
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Luciana Moreira | ... |
Set Stylist
(as Luciana Moriera)
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L.M. Doria Roberts | ... |
Reba Richards / Banana Skirt
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Linda Salerno | ... |
Margaret Fitzgerald
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Carolyn Shapiro | ... |
White Actress
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Julia Zay | ... |
White Bar Dyke
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Christopher Mann | ... |
Christopher Mann (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Cheryl Dunye | ||
Written by
| Cheryl Dunye | ... | (written by) |
| Cheryl Dunye | ... | (written by: film recreations, "Plantation Memories" and "Souls of Deceit") & |
| Douglas McKeown | ... | (written by: film recreations, "Plantation Memories" and "Souls of Deceit") (as Doug McKeown) |
Produced by
| Benjy Blanco | ... | restoration associate producer |
| Cheryl Dunye | ... | produced by: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Benjamin Goldberg | ... | assistant producer |
| Alexandra Juhasz | ... | co-producer: Watermelon Woman photo archive / producer (produced by) |
| Judy LeBold | ... | second unit associate producer |
| Zoe Leonard | ... | produced by: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Michael Light | ... | executive producer |
| Joy Malinowski | ... | associate producer |
| Burke Moody | ... | co-executive producer |
| Marc Smolowitz | ... | restoration producer |
| Barry Swimar | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Annie Taylor | ... | co-executive producer |
| Cate Wilson | ... | co-producer |
Music by
| Paul Shapiro | ||
Cinematography by
| Michelle Crenshaw | ... | (cinematography by) |
Editing by
| Annie Taylor | ||
Editorial Department
| James R. Ford Jr. | ... | associate editor (as Jim Ford) |
| Burke Moody | ... | additional editor |
| Magali Taylor | ... | additional editor |
Casting By
| Gail Lloyd | ||
| Mike Lemon | ... | (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Robert Holtzman | ... | (as Robert 'Ratface' Holtzman) |
Set Decoration by
| Stacey Byers | ||
Costume Design by
| Luciana Moreira | ||
| Solomon Wise | ||
Makeup Department
| Kevin Buckley | ... | makeup assistant |
| Anna Chin | ... | makeup assistant |
| Lilly Marnell | ... | makeup/hair: Watermelon Woman photo archive (as Lily Marnell) |
| Luciana Moreira | ... | makeup/hair: Watermelon Woman photo archive (as Luciana Moriera) |
| Kat L Robertson | ... | key makeup (as a different name) |
| Rebecca Sawyer | ... | additional makeup |
Production Management
| Burke Moody | ... | post production supervisor |
| Sharon Stein | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Renae Dinnerman | ... | assistant director (as Renae Dinerman) |
| Cheryl Dunye | ... | directed by: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Michael LaCorte | ... | second second assistant director (as Michael La Corte) |
| Zoe Leonard | ... | directed by: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Elenie Mansalis | ... | second assistant director (as Elenie Marsalis) |
| Douglas McKeown | ... | directed by: film recreations (as Doug McKeown) |
| Ted Shields | ... | second assistant director |
| Rick Walls | ... | additional assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Zoe Bissel | ... | props: Watermelon Woman photo archive / sets: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Rose Factor | ... | props |
| Lilly Marnell | ... | sets: Watermelon Woman photo archive (as Lily Marnell) |
| Tiffany Naiman | ... | assistant set dresser |
| Sharon Potts | ... | set dresser |
| Scott Purcell | ... | graphic design: film recreations |
| Julia Zay | ... | props: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
Sound Department
| Dean Curtis | ... | boom operator |
| James R. Ford Jr. | ... | sound editor (as Jim Ford) |
| Tom Jucarone | ... | sound mix |
| Gail Lloyd | ... | boom operator |
| Jack A. Mehlbaum | ... | sound recordist |
| David Rainey | ... | additional sound mixer / boom operator (as Dave Rainey) |
| Rob Sayers | ... | sound mix |
| Magali Taylor | ... | sound editor |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Claudine Benoit | ... | grip: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Elena Bouvier | ... | still photographer: film recreations |
| Kevin Boyle | ... | camera assistant |
| Claire F. Cario | ... | third grip |
| Valerie Casey | ... | still photography: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Andrew Reed Conner | ... | gaffer (as Andrew Conner) |
| Christopher Lee Daniels | ... | grip: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Christopher Leo Daniels | ... | second camera assistant |
| Dave Fortino | ... | key grip |
| Erica Freudenstein | ... | still photography: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Elisabeth Griggs | ... | toning: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Takeshi Hattori | ... | grip electric p.a. |
| Jeff Kahn | ... | best boy grip |
| Barbara Kigozi | ... | still photographer: film recreations |
| Zoe Leonard | ... | photographer: Watermelon Woman photo archive / photos and home movies of the Watermelon Woman by / toning: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Lilly Marnell | ... | video playback (as Lily Marnell) |
| Brendan McGlynn | ... | camera p.a. |
| Sam McLean | ... | still photographer: film recreations |
| Rick Mitchell | ... | swing |
| Kimberly Pierce | ... | photo assistant: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Jennifer Schoenewald | ... | electrician (as Jen Schoenewald) |
| Dane Smith | ... | additional photography |
| Amy Steiner | ... | still photography: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Jay Stuart | ... | best boy electric |
| George Roach | ... | grip and electric truck owner (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Keelyn Bradley | ... | casting (as Keylan Bradley) |
| Sharon Levin Cohen | ... | casting |
| K. Brent Hill | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| JoAnn Colameco | ... | wardrobe |
| Alison Froling | ... | period costumes / wardrobe: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Sara Vogt | ... | wardrobe: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Sarah Vogt | ... | wardrobe assistant |
Location Management
| Tim Downs | ... | location manager |
| Missy Moyer | ... | location manager |
| Ann Margaret Sanchez | ... | location assistant |
Music Department
| Steven Bernstein | ... | trumpet: original score (as Steve Bernstein) |
| S. Madison Bédard | ... | music coordinator (as S. Madison Bedard) |
| Bill Coleman | ... | music supervisor |
| David Hofstra | ... | bass: original score |
| Steve Johns | ... | drums: original score |
| Jim Mussen | ... | drum programming: original score |
| Raphael Paris | ... | karaoke music tracks |
| Paul Shapiro's Quintet | ... | original score performed by |
| Stephen C. Rocamboli | ... | music coordinator |
| Dan Rosengard | ... | piano: original score |
| Gary Schreiner | ... | additional production and keyboards: original score |
| Paul Shapiro | ... | saxophone and flute: original score |
Script and Continuity Department
| Sonya Klimuk | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| John Alagna | ... | titles by |
| Giselle Anatol | ... | stand-in: Cheryl |
| Steve Armor | ... | archivist: film recreations / assistant: Barry Swimar |
| Yves Averous | ... | retoration funding provided by |
| Justiana Birzin | ... | craft service |
| Amadee Braxton | ... | archivist: film recreations |
| Mark Breitenberg | ... | craft services: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Rebecca Britt | ... | archivist: film recreations |
| Halima Brown | ... | production assistant |
| Duana C. Butler | ... | production coordinator (as Duana Butler) |
| Jim Caola | ... | catering donated by |
| Jake Carlo | ... | assistant: Barry Swimar |
| Kenrick Cato | ... | production assistant |
| Brona Cosgrove | ... | catering donated by: The Restaurant School |
| Summit D'Angelo | ... | catering donated by |
| Tom Dischert | ... | services and supplies provided by: Ciné Services |
| Constance Dunn | ... | production assistant |
| Laurel Frydenborg | ... | production assistant |
| Lynn Gallagher | ... | production assistant |
| Tania Galloni | ... | archivist: film recreations |
| John Gerbec | ... | archival consultant: film recreations |
| Charlene Gilbert | ... | production assistant: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Benjamin Goldberg | ... | production coordinator |
| Meredith Hinshaw | ... | production assistant |
| Shu Hung | ... | production coordinator: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Susan Jacobs | ... | publicist |
| Petra Janopaul | ... | production coordinator |
| Petra Janopaul | ... | assistant: Alexandra Juhasz / production coordinator: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Ira Jeffries | ... | archival photos and footage courtesy of |
| Barbara Kigozi | ... | product placement |
| Michael Kleiman | ... | production assistant (as Mike Kleinman) |
| Billy Kline | ... | product placement |
| Andi Korff | ... | production assistant |
| Alicia Le Blanc | ... | archivist: film recreations |
| Michele Leahy | ... | assistant office production coordinator |
| Zoe Leonard | ... | printing: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Jennifer Lipman | ... | production assistant |
| Jesse Lopez | ... | production assistant |
| Shae Marconi | ... | production assistant |
| Nicole McEwan | ... | production assistant |
| Heather McGinnis | ... | production assistant |
| Joe Meccarriello | ... | services and supplies provided by |
| Diana Morrow | ... | printing: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Mr. McLaughlin | ... | catering donated by |
| Mrs. McLaughlin | ... | catering donated by |
| Eve Oishi | ... | archivist: film recreations / craft services: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Chris Owings | ... | catering coordinator |
| Elaine Portier | ... | printing: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Eva Preston | ... | archival photos and footage courtesy of (as Eve Preston) |
| Cynthia Robinson | ... | product placement |
| Lisa Rosenstein | ... | product placement |
| Ann Ruark | ... | printing: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Dave Ruth | ... | production assistant |
| Emily Salzfass | ... | production assistant |
| Vivian Selbo | ... | printing: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| Cynthia Sharpe | ... | product placement |
| Susanne Shissler | ... | catering coordinator |
| Koula Sossiadis | ... | assistant office production coordinator |
| Amy Steiner | ... | printing: Watermelon Woman photo archive |
| John Stone | ... | production assistant |
| Michelle Strader | ... | production assistant |
| Jeff Stupak | ... | production assistant |
| Pamela Turchin | ... | office coordinator |
| Reena Walker | ... | consultant |
| David Walls | ... | product placement |
| Andrew Wenrich | ... | production assistant |
| Conrad Zimmer | ... | production assistant |
Thanks
| Kathy Acey | ... | thanks |
| Jamika Ajalon | ... | thanks |
| Jacqui Alexander | ... | thanks |
| Nat Anderson | ... | thanks |
| Ina Archer | ... | thanks |
| Toni Cade Bambara | ... | dedicated to the memory of |
| Dipu Basu | ... | thanks |
| Doug Bernheim | ... | thanks for the music |
| Maurice Bernstein | ... | thanks for the music |
| Jacqui Bishop | ... | thanks |
| Gay Block | ... | warmest thanks |
| Jillian Borders | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Gregg Bordowitz | ... | thanks |
| Pearl Bowser | ... | thanks |
| Nora Breen | ... | thanks |
| Wesley Brown | ... | thanks |
| Ollie Buckwell | ... | thanks for the music |
| Joi Cardwell | ... | thanks for the music |
| Lisa Cartwright | ... | thanks |
| Brian Cates | ... | thanks |
| Shu Lea Cheang | ... | thanks |
| Linda Chelgren | ... | thanks for the music |
| Elizabeth Cho | ... | thanks |
| Rob Cimorelli | ... | thanks |
| Cathy Cohen | ... | thanks |
| Andy Connell | ... | thanks for the music |
| Leena Conquest | ... | thanks for the music |
| Lisa Cortes | ... | thanks for the music |
| Claire Coss | ... | thanks |
| Noah Cowan | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Michelle Crenshaw | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Megan Cunningham | ... | thanks |
| Michele d'Acosta | ... | thanks (as Michelle D'Acosta) |
| Peter Daou | ... | thanks for the music |
| Vanessa Daou | ... | thanks for the music |
| Tony DeFelice | ... | thanks |
| Juan Doubrechat | ... | thanks |
| Corinne Drenery | ... | thanks for the music |
| Jack Drescher | ... | thanks (as Jack Drescher M.D.) |
| Malka Drucker | ... | warmest thanks |
| Cheryl Dunye | ... | restoration special thanks |
| George K. Dunye | ... | dedicated to the memory of / thanks (as George Dunye) |
| Holly Dunye | ... | thanks |
| Tony Edwards | ... | thanks for the music |
| Clay Farmer | ... | thanks for the music |
| Shari Frilot | ... | thanks |
| Cindy Fuchs | ... | thanks |
| Joseba Gabilondo | ... | thanks |
| Gregg Garvin | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Terry Gibson | ... | thanks |
| Robert Gober | ... | thanks |
| Brian Goldfarb | ... | thanks |
| Glen Goldstein | ... | thanks |
| Glenda Gracia | ... | thanks for the music |
| Ada Gay Griffin | ... | thanks |
| Candy Guiterrez | ... | thanks |
| Agnes Gund | ... | thanks |
| David Haas | ... | warmest thanks |
| Dolly Hall | ... | thanks |
| Barbara Hammer | ... | thanks |
| John Handhardt | ... | thanks |
| Wendy Harlow | ... | thanks for the music |
| Nikki Harmon | ... | thanks |
| Paulette Hawkins | ... | thanks for the music |
| Martin Heath | ... | thanks for the music |
| Essex Hemphill | ... | dedicated to the memory of |
| Nona Hendryx | ... | thanks for the music |
| Lori Hiris | ... | thanks |
| Doug Holdren | ... | thanks |
| Melanie Hope | ... | thanks |
| Kate Horsfield | ... | thanks |
| Phillip Howley | ... | thanks |
| Kate Hyman | ... | thanks for the music |
| D. Influence | ... | thanks for the music (as D-Influence) |
| Nora Injetti | ... | thanks for the music |
| Jarell Johnson | ... | thanks |
| Jill Johnson | ... | thanks |
| Sharell Johnson | ... | thanks |
| Steve Joseph | ... | thanks |
| Alexandra Juhasz | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Joseph Juhasz | ... | thanks |
| Suzanne Juhasz | ... | thanks |
| Isaac Julien | ... | thanks |
| Ben Jurin | ... | thanks |
| Tom Kalin | ... | thanks |
| Phyllis Kaufman | ... | warmest thanks |
| Robin Kaye | ... | thanks for the music |
| Jason King | ... | thanks |
| Karl Knapper | ... | thanks |
| Tera Gaye Knoll | ... | thanks |
| Jeff Kohr | ... | thanks |
| Donna Korones | ... | thanks |
| Elizabeth Kotz | ... | thanks |
| Lati Kronlund | ... | thanks for the music |
| Jim Lamb | ... | dedicated to the memory of |
| Brian Lambert | ... | thanks for the music |
| Karen Langjahr | ... | thanks for the music |
| Terry Lawler | ... | thanks |
| Alisa Lebow | ... | thanks |
| Mark Levinsohn | ... | thanks for the music |
| Rosemarie Levy | ... | thanks |
| Charles Lofton | ... | thanks |
| Jennifer MacDonald | ... | thanks |
| George Maloian | ... | thanks for the music |
| Aldo Marin | ... | thanks for the music |
| Eugene Martin | ... | thanks |
| Louis J. Massiah | ... | thanks (as Louis Massiah) |
| Marc Mauceri | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Judith Mayne | ... | thanks |
| Hattie McDaniel | ... | dedicated to the memory of |
| Cathy McKinley | ... | thanks |
| Butterfly McQueen | ... | dedicated to the memory of |
| Walter Meade | ... | thanks for the music |
| Gary Miller | ... | thanks for the music |
| Kevin Mooney | ... | thanks for the music |
| Mrs. Fisher | ... | thanks |
| Jose Munoz | ... | thanks |
| Tamara Murphy | ... | thanks |
| Ray Murray | ... | warmest thanks |
| Peter Nardi | ... | thanks |
| Sharee Nash | ... | thanks |
| Jacqui Neulinger | ... | thanks |
| Henry Nevison | ... | thanks |
| Geoffrey Nimmer | ... | thanks |
| Marty Olinick | ... | thanks for the music |
| Robert Palumbo | ... | thanks |
| Michelle Parkerson | ... | thanks |
| Stephen Pevner | ... | thanks |
| Sharon Pinkenson | ... | warmest thanks |
| Vincent Pirozzi | ... | restoration special thanks |
| John Polito | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Eva Preston | ... | thanks |
| Robert Reid-Pharr | ... | warmest thanks |
| B. Ruby Rich | ... | thanks |
| Larry Richards | ... | warmest thanks |
| Ron Riley | ... | thanks |
| Adriene Rodriguez | ... | thanks for the music |
| Tom Roland | ... | thanks for the music |
| Mordechai N. Rosenstein | ... | thanks |
| Alice Royer | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Brad Rubens | ... | thanks for the music |
| Hillorie Rudolph | ... | thanks for the music |
| Tom Ryan | ... | thanks |
| Roger S. | ... | thanks for the music |
| Scott Sawyer | ... | thanks |
| Marvin Schlacter | ... | thanks for the music |
| Ken Seki | ... | thanks for the music |
| Charlotte Sheedy | ... | thanks |
| Joe Simmons | ... | thanks for the music |
| Cecile Simon | ... | thanks |
| Mary Jane Skalski | ... | thanks |
| Doug Smullens | ... | thanks |
| Susan Smythe | ... | thanks |
| John Sugg | ... | thanks |
| Dawn Suggs | ... | thanks |
| Carl L. Taylor | ... | thanks |
| Towa Tei | ... | thanks for the music |
| Dorothy Thigpen | ... | thanks |
| Fred Thomas | ... | thanks |
| Kendall Thomas | ... | thanks |
| Doris Tumarkine | ... | thanks |
| Sharon Ullman | ... | thanks |
| Christine Vachon | ... | thanks |
| Linda Villarosa | ... | thanks |
| Randy Wamsher | ... | thanks |
| Jack Waters | ... | thanks |
| Simon Watson | ... | thanks |
| Yvonne Welbon | ... | thanks |
| Jesse Wente | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Vicki Wickham | ... | thanks for the music |
| Todd Wiener | ... | restoration special thanks |
| Dellon Wilson | ... | dedicated to the memory of |
| Leslie Winer | ... | thanks for the music |
| Julie Tolinto Wood | ... | thanks |
| Jackie Woodson | ... | thanks |
| Lisa Zambrano | ... | thanks for the music |
| Sande Zeig | ... | thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- First Run Features (1997) (United States)
- The Criterion Channel (2020) (United States) (tv) (digital)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- 12th Street Cantina (catering donated by)
- 13th Gen (restoration production company)
- Archive Films (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- Aspen Street Tavern (catering donated by)
- Audio Mechanics Music & Sound (restoration laboratory services)
- Bagel Builders (catering donated by)
- Baker Street Breads (catering donated by)
- Bank Tower Communications (product placement)
- Basic 4 Vegetarian (catering donated by)
- Bassett's Turkey (catering donated by)
- Bettmann/Corbis (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- Black Nations/Queer Nations (thanks)
- Branches in Bloom (wedding flowers provided by)
- Bread and Roses Community Fund (warmest thanks)
- Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) (original score published by)
- Butler Catering (catering donated by)
- Buy the Dozen (catering donated by)
- CBS (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- Candy Express (catering donated by)
- Center City Printing (services and supplies provided by)
- Charcuterie (catering donated by)
- Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- Cine Services (services and supplies provided by)
- Ciné Mills (services and supplies provided by)
- Cold Springs Water (product placement)
- Community Spirit Long Distance Phone Co. (services and supplies provided by)
- Coulter & Sands Inc. (services and supplies provided by)
- DM Cuisine (catering donated by)
- Delilah's (catering donated by)
- DuArt Film and Video (warmest thanks)
- East Side Audio and Video (sound mix)
- Elliots Amazing Beverages (product placement)
- Entenmann's Bakery (catering donated by)
- Express Car Rental (services and supplies provided by)
- Fairmount Bagel (catering donated by)
- Famous 4th Street Deli (catering donated by)
- Fifteen Minutes (services and supplies provided by)
- Film/Video Arts (thanks)
- First Run Features (restoration funding provided by)
- FloAnn Bridalwear (product placement)
- Frameline Completion Fund (warmest thanks)
- Frank Clement's Tavern (catering donated by)
- French Connection (II) (product placement)
- Fresh on 47 (catering donated by)
- Gaeyl Force (services and supplies provided by)
- Good Machine (thanks)
- Greater Philadelphia Film Office (warmest thanks)
- Guacamole (product placement)
- Headlands Center for the Arts (warmest thanks)
- IATSE Local 52 (thanks)
- InVision Communications (warmest thanks)
- Inferno (product placement)
- KYJ's Bakery (catering donated by)
- Kamal's (catering donated by)
- Location Sound Service (services and supplies provided by)
- London Grille (catering donated by)
- MCA/Universal Pictures ('Imitation of Life' photo courtesy of)
- Marion's Continental NYC (catering donated by)
- Mary's Restaurant (catering donated by)
- McDonald's (catering donated by)
- Mike Lemon Casting (thanks)
- Modern VideoFilm (restoration laboratory services)
- Moishe's Bakery (catering donated by)
- Naya Water (product placement)
- Naython's Display (product placement)
- New Harmony Coffee (product placement)
- New School for Social Research (warmest thanks)
- O'Neal's (II) (catering donated by)
- Oscar's Tavern (catering donated by)
- PageNet (services and supplies provided by)
- Paula Cooper Gallery (thanks)
- Philadelphia City Archives (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- Philadelphia Pizza Company (catering donated by)
- Rami's Middle Eastern (catering donated by)
- Ray's Coffee House (catering donated by)
- Red Bell Beer (product placement)
- Richard's Roast Beef (catering donated by)
- Samuel Adams (catering donated by)
- Scribe Video Center (thanks)
- Seventh Art Incorporated (editorial facility)
- Seventh Art Incorporated (studio recording)
- Seventh Art Incorporated (warmest thanks)
- Sharp Eye Music (original score published by)
- Spoonbread Catering (catering donated by)
- Studio Film and Tape (services and supplies provided by)
- Swathmore College (warmest thanks)
- Sylvia's Restaurant NYC (catering donated by)
- TLA Video (warmest thanks)
- Teamsters Local 107 (thanks)
- Temple University Urban Archive (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- Termini Brothers' Bakery (catering donated by)
- The Astraea Fund for Women (thanks)
- The Carrot Cake Man (catering donated by)
- The Cheese Court (catering donated by)
- The City of Philadelphia (warmest thanks)
- The Clit Club NY (thanks)
- The Effects House (titles by)
- The Lesbian Herstory Archives (archival photos and footage courtesy of)
- The Mix Festival (thanks)
- The National Endowment for the Arts (warmest thanks)
- The New Festival's Exposure Fund (warmest thanks)
- The Outfest Legacy Project (digitally preserved and remastered by)
- The Paper Factory (services and supplies provided by)
- The Philadelphia Foundation (warmest thanks)
- The Philadelphia Independent Film & Video Association (warmest thanks)
- The Restaurant School (catering donated by)
- The Sonny Hill League (thanks)
- The Spaghetti Warhouse (catering donated by)
- The White Dog Cafe (catering donated by)
- Third World Newsreel Film Collective (thanks)
- Toronto International Film Festival (restoration funding provided by)
- Total RF (services and supplies provided by)
- UCLA Film and Television Archive (digitally preserved and remastered by)
- Vernon's Jerk Paradise NYC (catering donated by)
- Videosmith Rentals (services and supplies provided by)
- WAWA (catering donated by)
- Woehr's Bakery (catering donated by)
- Women Make Movies (warmest thanks)
- Yellow Brick Road Travel Agency (services and supplies provided by)
- Zipperhead (product placement)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Cheryl is young, Black, and lesbian, working in Philadelphia with her best friend Tamara and consumed by a film project: to make a video about her search for a Black actress from Philly who appeared in films in the 30s and was known as the Watermelon Woman. Following various leads, Cheryl discovers the Watermelon Woman's stage name and real name and surmises that the actress had a long affair with Martha Page, a White woman and one of Hollywood's few female directors. As she's discovering these things, Cheryl becomes involved with Diana, who's also White. The affair strains Cheryl's friendship with Tamara. More discoveries bring Cheryl (and us, her audience) to new realizations.
Written by |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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Box Office
| Budget | $300,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to writer/director Cheryl Dunye, much about the character she plays in the film is autobiographical, but the historical references to the Watermelon Woman are fictional: "The Watermelon Woman came from the real lack of any information about the lesbian and film history of African-American women. Since it wasn't happening, I invented it." See more » |
| Goofs | Cheryl (Cheryl Dunye) appears to make a slight fluff of her lines during a dinner scene with Diana, Tamara and Stacey, saying: "Anyway, Diana, if you came to Philadelphia to shape... escape the cold Chicago winters..." However, as the dinner conversation is deliberately uncomfortable, this is possibly intended. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Rondo from Eine Kleine Nacht Music See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The film, which seems to be a documentary about Cheryl's search for the obscure actress who inspired her, ends with these printed words: "Sometimes you have to create your own history. The Watermelon Woman is fiction. Cheryl Dunye, 1996" See more » |
| Quotes |
Cheryl:
Let me assure you, the hip swinging lesbian style isn't my forte. See more » |