The Watermelon Woman

Ambitious writer/director Cheryl Dunye sets out to conquer new territory for lesbian and black filmmakers, but finds herself straddling an uncomfortable fence: At the same time she quibbles with identity politics, she relies heavily on them for subject matter and shock value. Twentysomething video store clerk Cheryl (Dunye) really wants to direct, and uses her job to explore hidden areas of cinema history. Working her way through obscure old movies, she comes across silent-era actress Fae Richards, the "Watermelon Woman." The shock of recognition is so great that Cheryl embarks on a quest to unearth this woman's professional and personal life, buried by the...