"Pearl" Screening Set for Ada Air Expo
An outdoor screening of "Pearl", a movie produced by the Chickasaw Nation, will take place at 8:45 p.m. Friday, June 25 at the Ada Air Expo, 2800 Airport Road in Ada, Okla.
"Pearl" is an award-winning film that tells the true story of Chickasaw aviatrix Eula "Pearl" Carter Scott. The movie follows her through childhood and teen years as she becomes the youngest licensed pilot in America.
Elijah DeJesus, who portrays Pearl Carter Scott, and Angela Gair, who plays Lucy, Pearl's strong Chickasaw mother, will be on-hand at 8 p.m. Friday at the Air Expo to sign autographs.
The vintage Curtiss Robin airplane featured in "Pearl" will also be able for viewing at the event.
Pearl, the daughter of successful Marlow businessman George Carter (Senior), received her pilot's license in 1928 at age 13, making her the youngest licensed pilot in U.S. history.
Befriended by famous aviator Wiley Post in the late 1920s, she was performing as a barnstormer and flying her father to business appointments across the state.
The social and economic changes of the late 1920s and 1930s serves as a backdrop for the passion, celebrity status, romance and internal conflict which marked Pearl's teen years.
Aside from being a legendary aviatrix, Pearl Carter Scott was a dedicated and proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.
She aspired until death in 2005 to do "whatever is necessary to help my fellow Chickasaws."
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said the story of the Chickasaw aviatrix was a natural for the tribe's first feature-length film project.
"Pearl is a legendary figure in the history of Oklahoma, the world of aviation and in the Chickasaw Nation," said Gov. Anoatubby. "She was a dynamic, determined and caring individual who exemplifies many of the finest qualities of Chickasaw people. She was a unique individual who had a profoundly positive impact on everyone she met. Bringing her life story to the screen will help preserve that impact for generations to come."
"Pearl," has garnered many accolades from audiences and film industry insiders. The film was named the best overall film and the best Native American film at the 2010 Trail Dance Film Festival. The film was also named a "Heartland Film Festival" official selection. The film is one of only 13 feature films chosen for the distinction out of more than 600 submissions to Heartland, which is well known as one of the largest family oriented film festivals in the world.
"Pearl" also won a prestigious "Best of Show" award from "The Indie Fest," and swept the feature docudrama category at the "International Cherokee Film Festival."
The Dove Foundation recently awarded "Pearl" four "Doves," giving the film its "Family-Approved" Seal for all ages.
For more information about "Pearl" visit www.pearlthemovie.net.
