The Watermelon Woman

*The Watermelon Woman* is a 199Roots movie directed by Cheryl Dunye that explores issues of race, identity, and history through the story of a filmmaker researching and portraying a Black actress from the 1930s dubbed “The Watermelon Woman.” The film blends comedy, documentary, and fiction to examine how stories about marginalized communities are told and remembered. It highlights the importance of representation and challenges conventional narratives by blending personal and cultural history, offering a unique perspective on racial and sexual identity within African American and LGBTQ+ contexts.