Thursday 12th May 8pm
‘It gives us something we don’t see much of in film — young black women claiming their space and sharing it with the rest of us.’ – Rosalind Bentley, Minneapolis Star Tribune
‘Funny and smart, full of biting humor and astute observations about identity and history, Cheryl Dunye’s audacious, joyous debut feature captures the process of falling hopelessly in love with the movies.’ – Serena Donadoni, Village Voice
Set in Philadelphia, young black lesbian Cheryl works in a video store with her friend Tamara but is determined to make a documentary about forgotten uncredited black actress from the 1930s known only as ‘The Watermelon Woman’. She encounters a range of people including her own mother as well as activist Camille Paglia, who help uncover the mystery also coincides with her growing relationship with Diana. In the process, she discovers the hidden side to lesbian relationships.
A landmark of LGFBT cinema as well as black filmmaking, ‘The Watermelon Woman’ won both the Teddy Award at Berlin International Festival and Audience Award for Outstanding Feature at Outfest in 1996.Directed by Cheryl Dunye, she also takes the lead roll alongside Guinevere Turner (American Psycho. Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf?), Lisa Marie Bronson, activist poet Cheryl Clarke, artist Zoe Leonard and academic Camille Paglia.
The 12% Cineclub was founded by The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company in association with The Glens Centre and Access Cinema. It features films directed by women. In 2021 women comprised of 12% of directors of the top 100 films, a decrease of 16% in 2020.
8pm Ticket €12/7/5