Retro Reviewing: "Watermelon Woman"

I’m so glad you reviewed this movie. It doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. As I recall, Sundance has featured this film on occasion during Pride month…so, you can also write to them and ask them to replay it. I want to give a shout out to Valarie Walker who played Cheryl’s best friend Tamara. I thought her acting was excellent!

And, just because I can, I’m going to share a poster for the film. ;)

There are also some great cameos - Sarah Schulman, Cheryl Clarke, and Toshi Reagon

...and yes I agree that sounded very wrong. Thank you for reviewing "Watermelon Woman" because I have not even heard of this film before now, and based on this I think I will get off my own netflix account. And I am excited that you willl be reviewing Fried Green Tomatoes one of the most lesbianish non lesbian movies out there. I really hope there is a discussion on the de-gaying of the film from the book and I might launch into my own long winded take on it. I also look forward to more of your star search like rating system you have going on.

Overall I give your vlog a 4.75

Never met a pearl quite like you that could shimmer and rot at the same time through

Usually I'm a bit leery of movies that other people recommend to me, especially if I haven't laid eyes on a trailer/promo for it or read a description myself.

But I really enjoyed your review and analysis of this film and all of the interesting elements that you discussed.

So I'll definitely keep this one in mind for future watching, thanks!

It was great reviewing this movie (and fun in the process)! Thanks for having me. 

P.S. I was just going along with Danielle (to feel better about the Dan beginning of the name) It's actually Den....LOL.  I guess that can be my stage name.  

no Katie!..............how could she do this to me? My hart is broken

Kappa Kappa Eat My Pi till I die

rina, you're colombiana! I'm latin american, too, and I've also attempted to research our queer history and it is so depressing. Watermelon Woman I learned about after I read Camille Paglia's sexual personnae; I had googled her and found out she was in this film. I totally want to see the film-- all the more for how difficult it is to find. I've just always had an inkling it was good. I loved your review for it except now I want to see it more!

p.s I'm so happy you'll review FGT! I love Iggy and Ruth-- both the film and novel versions of themselves. And just to let you know I love your vlog, you're all great to watch and listen to!

thanks for reviewing this film, retro reviewers! i had never heard of it, but now that i've watched your vlog, i definitely will go and try to seek it out (i think i may have a little trouble getting my hands on it though). it was nice to hear about the movie resonated with some of you, especially Rina. i always enjoy learning more about you guys and why you personally liked (or disliked) the film. i can't wait to see this film :)

looking forward to fried green tomatoes :)

"don't ever say it's too late, you know you'll regret it. just when you're sure of your life, it can change right before your eyes"
"turtle" by alana davis

Rina = 10

I first saw this movie on Sundance during pride month back in 2000.  I was so surprised to see such an early film about african american women who love women, and even more surprised to see an interracial couple.  I love this film for what it represents during a time in which there was no representation.  Being multiracial and a person who is usually in an interracial coupling, this film definitely resonated with me. 

 Thank you for review this and thank you for being passionate about it as well.

I love FGT!!!  Mary Louise Parker and Mary Stuart Masterson = HOTTA!!!  I loved the book and I can't wait to hear your take on the de-gaying of the main characters as well as all the lesbian subtext that was left in the film.

 P.S.  Love the vlog!  I am a film geek as well without the film school cred.  Keep up the great work! 

I watched this film in a grad English class and I loved it.  Awesome that you reviewed it here!

don't ya wish your girlfriend was smart like me?

http://smartlikeme.wordpress.com 

Thank you so much for seeking us out and commenting. we're thrilled to hear what you think of the review - and happy to have those little loose ends cleared up a bit. We loved the film and appreciate your work.

Thank you so much for watching!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to say thanks for reviewing this film. I played the part of Cheryl's best friend in the movie (Tamara), and at the time it was just this little film idea. Having watched your review it is nice to know that the film stands up against time and has initiated so much discussion. You mentioned being entertained, and I hope that my character provided some of that for you--and that I didn't represent the bad acting that you spoke of! Thanks again for making me feel proud to have been part of this project. And yes I agree that Cheryl does have a nice tushie! All the best, Valarie Walker

I had heard of this movie ever since I started researching what it took to be a lesbian, but I hadn't realized that I'd never actually seen it. Now that I have made that realization, I'm bummed that I can't find it anywhere! (I'll have to befriend a Netflix member.)

Thank you ladies for being so aware of the subtleties of racism and the prejudice that still exists. I also like to see that Rina is so proud of her heritage, since one can't really tell just by looking at her. I am someone you can't tell by looking at me (I'm half black), and I used to be ashamed of it because of all of the outside reactions. Fortunately, with accepting my sexuality, I've become proud of all of the ingredients that make me me! 

Also, seeing you ladies unapologetically embracing your sexuality is a nice refresher in this hetero-normative world.

Thank you!

Thanks for your comments.  I totally relate to your comments in more ways than one. I think it's important to challenge how minorities are represented in the media. Hopefully, by challenging these representations we can get to a place where people learn not to make assumptions about people based on the way they look.  

And to Valarie Walker:

Thanks for your comments.  We do tend to be rather nit picky.  For every film we are very critical, but we hope that we are just challenging our fellow lesbian filmmakers to be the masters of their craft. This is a very important film though and I was very sad to read about all the issues it faced with distribution.  I also read about how this film and tongues untied was targeted by conservative senators. The Watermelon Woman was such an important film and I only hope that as a community we can get the word out about how important this film is. 

Thanks again.

Rina