Oklahoma-made aviation biopic “Pearl” to get state premiere Tuesday
Tom Huston Orr portrays legendary aviator Wiley Post and Elijah DeJesus plays teen flier Eula “Pearl” Carter-Scott in the biopic “Pearl.”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma-made film returns for premiere
For the past year, the made-in-Oklahoma biopic “Pearl” has been soaring through the film festival circuit, collecting awards, earning the Dove family-approved seal and making grown men weep.
Now, the uplifting movie is landing back in Oklahoma.
Hundreds of state leaders, film industry executives and other dignitaries are expected to attend the invitation-only Oklahoma premiere of “Pearl” at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Warren Theater in Moore.
Produced by the Ada-based Chickasaw Nation, “Pearl” tells the true story of Eula “Pearl” Carter-Scott, who in 1928 became the youngest licensed pilot in the nation.
“It’s a story that people in the tribe are very proud of, but also I think almost anyone in the world can relate to it,” said producer David Rennke, who works for the tribe’s multimedia department.
“It’s about somebody pursuing their dreams and being able to accomplish them with the support that their family provides them. It just has a lot of universal themes,”
In the 1920s, famed Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post befriended Pearl, a Chickasaw youth from Marlow. The relationship inspired the girl to take to the air, and she earned her pilot’s license at age 13. Within a year, she was performing as a barnstormer and working as a commercial flier.
“Pearl” is the first feature film made by the Chickasaw Nation, which took on the project as an effort to preserve the tribe’s history and culture.
“It’s just a great way to keep stories alive and inspire future generations,” Rennke said. “And when I looked at all the different stories we had available — and there’s just tons of great Oklahoma and Native American and Chickasaw stories — ‘Pearl’ just seemed to resonate.”
While developing the script in 2008, the screenwriters had at their disposal video interviews the tribe conducted with Carter-Scott before her death in 2005. Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby, who counted the aviatrix as a close friend, championed and consulted on the movie.
“People are very surprised that an Indian tribe could pull something like this off. Most of the tribes just don’t have the resources we’re fortunate enough to have,” Rennke said.
Still, the filmmakers worked on a tight budget, which they did not disclose. Director King Hollis said principal photography had to be completed in just 23 days, which meant putting in many 14-hour days.
“As far as the principals in the film, there was not one bad actor. It was the strongest cast I’ve ever been a part of,” said King, an indie filmmaker from Dallas.
After a nationwide search, Elijah DeJesus, 13, of Burbank, Calif., makes her film debut in the lead role. Dallas-based actors Angela Gair and Andrew Sensenig play Pearl’s parents.
Several Oklahoma performers were cast in key roles: Byng High School student Paden Brown, a Chickasaw, was cast as Pearl’s sister Arnetta; University of Oklahoma graduate Isabel Archuleta plays Pearl’s sister Opaletta; and Tom Huston Orr, director of OU’s School of Drama, portrays the iconic Wiley Post.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about Wiley; I knew a lot about Will Rogers. So it took some research to find out more about the man. It’s unfortunate, I don’t think he’s given the credit he’s due. If you look carefully, you know, (his plane) the Winnie Mae is at the Smithsonian, and there are tributes to him at the Aviation Hall of Fame. But this is the guy who first circumnavigated the globe in an airplane,” he said. “The film’s not about Wiley, but I think that it’s a nice tribute to the man.”
“Pearl” was filmed in several state locations, including Oklahoma City’s Harn Homestead, El Reno Municipal Airport and Judy and Jody Airport near Macomb. Four blocks of downtown Guthrie streets were covered in dirt to transform the city into 1920s Marlow.
“People seem to like the flying scenes, and our big secret with that is the flying scenes, we shot … all the air-to-air stuff in four and a half hours,” Hollis said.
“We didn’t have much budget for a helicopter and a (camera) side mount and all that,” Rennke said.
The filmmakers were able to feature a real 1920s Curtiss Robin, the type of plane Carter-Scott flew, after meeting pilot-owner David Mars through a barnstorming tour. Mars will fly the Curtiss Robin to the theater for Tuesday’s premiere.
“Pearl” has screened at 15 film festivals around the country. It sold out four matinee screenings at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, won best overall at Duncan’s Trail Dance festival and earned a Best in Show at the virtual Indie Fest. The Dove Foundation gave the biopic its official family-approved seal.
“I’ve been in most of those screenings, and in every one of them, grown men cry, especially if they’ve got daughters,” said Rennke, who has four children, including three daughters, of his own.
Tuesday’s premiere will launch an eight-city theatrical tour. The filmmakers hope to secure a regional theatrical release and share Pearl’s story through TV broadcasts and DVD sales, too.
“Pearl has a lot to do with this,” Hollis said of the film’s success. “Pearl’s spirit has a lot to do with this.”
To know more
For more information on the film “Pearl,” go to www.pearlthemovie.net.
On NewsOK and here at BAM’s Blog, watch a video of NewsOK host Angi Bruss talking to the filmmakers about the movie.
-BAM
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Comments
Thank you for those good wishes, Charles! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed our work. Being a part of the “Pearl” project was a phenomenal experience. How heartwarming to know that the film touches our viewers deeply, too.
There is definitely a lot of talent beyond California’s state line. We hope to showcase more of it and tell other interesting stories about our Native American ancestors.
Thank you again for your support!
-Donna Carlton
Head Writer, “Pearl”
I saw the entire filme at the Ada, Ok airshow. I thought is was an incredible production. It is a wholesome movie based on a true story. I agree fathers with daughters will have an especially affection for the movie, as I can relate to them as a father of four duaghters.
The acting by the cast is great and the filming of the senes in Guthrie, el REno and the air senes are wonderful. As a native of southern Oklahoma I have a great appreciation for Oklahoma and this film shows Oklahoma in a good light.
I highly recomend this movie.
Gary L. White, DVM
Professour University of OKlahoma Healht Sciences Center
I’ve seen a lot of the pictures on the internet, But now I know it’s to be released,I also think because of this movie, “Amelia” was released to try to under score this film. But, thats good, it shows what INDIANS are capable of doing,I’ve been around aircraft all of my younger days, in the air force I was a mechanic on the SR-71 1973-1975 at Beale Air Force base in northern california. I’m three quarters lakota, one eighth Irish,one eighth french.from Pine Ridge,So. Dak. and I hope for the best for all involved. Good Luck!