The Watermelon Woman | Queer Lisboa 30

Cinema 4,5€ M/16

Thursday 24 September · 16:00

Screening of two films: 'Spin Cycle' by Aarin Burch and 'The Watermelon Woman' by Cheryl Dunye, exploring queer black identity and desire.

Synopsis Spin Cycle Aarin Burch (USA, 1991, 5’) Short doc. English original, English subtitles. M/16 “There has always been a woman who was my object of desire” is the opening motto of Aarin Burch's autobiographical short. Through a voice-over narration that follows a stream of consciousness, Burch reflects on her creative process, her romantic desires, her fears and her sexuality. With Spin Cycle, the mirror Burch turns on herself opens to the world a new cinematic language for black queer identity. We present here the newly restored 4K copy. The Watermelon Woman Cheryl Dunye (USA, 1996, 90’) Fiction. English original, no subtitles. M/16 Cheryl is a black lesbian in her twenties, determined to make a documentary about Fae Richards, a beautiful and elusive black actress from 1930s cinema, popularly known as “The Watermelon Woman”. As she uncovers the meaning of Fae Richards' life, Cheryl undergoes a complete upheaval in her own personal life. Her romance with Diana, a beautiful white woman, and her interactions with the gay and black communities are the target of the playful but biting criticism of her best friend, Tamara. Meanwhile, every answer Cheryl discovers about the Watermelon Woman raises a flood of new questions about herself and her future. The film was restored as part of the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project, version presented here. Prices General - 4,50€ Reduced mobility - 4,50€ Discounts Youth up to 25 years Seniors +65 years