Michiko Johnson looks Asian. She says she's Black. A hip-hop head, soul sistah who greases on greens and cornbread, Michiko is outspoken about her African roots. She adores her younger sibling, April, whose physical features are more African than hers. But April speaks fluent Japanese and eats only vegan meals with chopsticks.

Their Japanese mother, Junko, immigrated to the U.S. when she married an African American soldier. Now, Junko's mother, Kazuko, who came to live with her divorced daughter, lies near death. Michiko is summoned home to San Francisco from her Los Angeles digs leaving behind her rastafarian musician boyfriend and a host of bad habits. Alone with her sick grandmother, Michiko is about to receive the most shocking news of her young life. Meanwhile, April, a rigid corporate attorney, is dealing with some trauma of her own; a discovery that she's pregnant by her married lover. Told against the backdrop of the rising rap music scene of the early 1980's, Watermelon Sushi hopes to feature old school rappers like Chuck D, KRS-I, Afrikan Bambaata, X-Clan, Soul Sonic Force, Kool Mo Dee, LL Cool J and others.

In 1998, Starwheels Productions began shooting a 120-minute feature film in Los Angeles. The tale of two Afro-Asian sisters is dubbed "She's Gotta Have It" meets "Secrets and Lies" at the "Joy Luck Club". Shot on 16mm (with black and white scenes depicting the parents' past in Japan), the film is equal parts comedy and drama.

Due to financial difficulties, production ceased after 7 days. A 4 1/2-minute trailer was edited and has been screened in several American cities.