The Watermelon Woman is the first feature film directed by a black lesbian.

Cheryl, a young black lesbian, works a day job in a video store while trying to make a film about Fae Richards, an obscure actress from the 1930s known for playing the stereotypical "mammy" roles relegated to black actresses during that period.  

This piece is considered a landmark in new queer cinema.

Text by Tia Murr