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DALLAS – Audience response to “Pearl” screenings at AFI Dallas International Film Festival was “extremely positive,” said producer Dave Rennke.

Movie poster from the film “Pearl.” COURTESY Photo

Produced by the Chickasaw Nation, “Pearl” focuses on the tumultuous teen years of the late Pearl Carter Scott, a Chickasaw girl from Oklahoma who is well known as the youngest licensed pilot in America.

Whether by coincidence or divine intervention, the first public showing of “Pearl” took place four years to the day after Pearl Carter Scott’s death on March 28, 2005.

“This was a very special day,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “We decided to make this film because it is important for people to truly understand Pearl’s story. Her legacy goes much deeper than being the youngest pilot in the U.S.

“Pearl exemplifies many of the finest qualities of Chickasaw people. She was a dynamic, determined and caring individual who fulfilled her greatest dreams. This film will enable people to relive some of the significant moments in her life - moments which define what made her truly great.”

Many of those moments were brought to the screen so powerfully that audience members were moved to tears.

Russell Gardner is one example.

“The movie really touches all your emotions. I even cried in it and I’m a guy. I only cry when I cut onions,” he said as his wife Bobby Gardner chuckled in the background.

Mrs. Gardner said that she appreciated the emphasis the film placed on family values and faith in God.

Members of the cast and crew appeared in a red carpet event Saturday evening after the screening. They posed for photos and video opportunities, answering questions from dozens of reporters.

Sean Cain, who played Pearl’s husband “Scotty,” said he was proud to work on the film.

“I really have to give credit where credit is due, David (Rennke), the Chickasaw Nation and King (Hollis) have really made a beautiful work which I think will stand the test of time and make Pearl’s family proud.”

Robyn Elliott, administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Communication, served as co executive producer of the film.

“The success of this film really is a credit to the spirit of community within the Chickasaw Nation,” said Elliott. “Chickasaw people and employees who became involved as actors, crew members and in various supporting roles were major contributors to the success of the film.

“While everyone who contributed to the success of this film will not appear on the film credits, it is important to recognize that this has been a tremendous team effort. Every department in the division of communications and dozens of others from across the tribe have made contributions vital to the ultimate success of this project.”

Andrew Sensenig, who played Pearl’s blind businessman father, George Carter, said the film motivated him to show even more love and encouragement to his own daughters.

“(Pearl) did what she wanted to do and she had a father who helped her in everything she wanted,” he said, adding that it reminded him of his relationship with his own daughters.

“We need more pictures like this so we can see what it’s all about.”

Director King Hollis, Choctaw, said he hopes the film will bring to light the rich history of the Chickasaw Nation.

“There are a lot of really amazing stories in the history of the Chickasaw Nation. There are a lot of stories of people, places and things that need to be told,” said Mr. Hollis. “This is one of the stories of one of their own. And we hope that we did it justice. And we hope we made the tribe proud. But there are a lot of stories, and we hope to tell more of those stories in the future.”

David Rennke, Chickasaw, served as producer of the film.

“Hopefully people will get an inkling of the spirit that pervades the Chickasaw Nation,” said Rennke. “The motto of the tribe is unconquered and unconquerable and Pearl really personifies that. If nothing else, I would like them to take away the fact that Chickasaws are resilient and determined. And that they are good people who look out for each other and their families and if they have a dream they go after it.”

Many of the cast members echoed that sentiment.

Elijah DeJesus played Pearl in the film.

“It’s been a real honor for me to play somebody who had such a remarkable life and did so many wonderful things at a young age, it was really exciting for me,” she said.

Tom Huston, who played Wiley Post, said that the film is important because it is a departure from conventional Hollywood portrayals of Native Americans.

“Hollywood hasn’t always painted the most responsible picture of Native American culture,” said Huston. “We don’t always see that the Native Americans are educated, that they are artistic, intellectual, hard working. That’s unfortunate, but that’s the way it is. I think the most important thing about the film is the portrayal of the Chickasaw people. It’s not a film about Wiley. It’s not a film about a 13-year-old girl. It’s a film about the Chickasaw people.”

Angela Gair, who played Pearl’s mother Lucy, said “it was magical” to watch the film and see the audience response.

“I just know that Pearl is up there smiling a big smile,” she said. “I hope she’s honored. I hope the family is honored. I hope the Chickasaw Nation is pleased as punch with it, because I know it touched every fount of my soul to be on this project.”

Ms. Gair added that playing Lucy had a powerful impact on her life.

“Lucy will always be with me,” she said. “I will always carry Lucy with me.”

Paden Brown, Chickasaw, played Pearl’s younger sister Arnetta.

“Knowing that Pearl was Chickasaw was important to me, because I’m a Chickasaw,” said Paden. “Knowing that I’m going to be representing Chickasaws in this film has been a great experience.”

Isabel Archuleta played Pearl’s older sister, Opaletta.

“We all came into it knowing the importance (of the story) – that it wasn’t just a story that someone made up one day because they wanted to write a script,” she said. “It was a story that happened to someone. It’s a story that’s real and alive in the history of this nation and this people.”

Archuleta summed up her feelings as she said.

“I think we all wanted to be Chickasaw at the end of this movie.”