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"This Man Is A Work
Of Art" |
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Directed by Scott
Galloway, Brent Pierson
Starring Pearl Fryar,
The Fryar Family
Distributed Independent -
2006 - 78mins - Rated NR |
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Sometimes, the greatest work of art is life itself... |
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I pity the moviegoer
who hasn't discovered the wonderful world of documentary films.
The 2006 Heartland Film Festival has been a shining example of the
wide array of interesting, thought provoking and entertaining subjects
being covered by today's documentary filmmakers.
"A Man Named Pearl" is the perfect example.
"A Man Named Pearl" tells the story of self-taught topiary artist
Pearl Fryar, an African-American man in his mid 60's living in
Bishopville, South Carolina.
The son of sharecroppers, Pearl has long worked a full-time job while
maintaining a yard that would make Edward Scissorhands proud. In fact,
the crew from the film "Edward Scissorhands" actually visited Fryar's
yard, a three-acre concoction of freestyle art, shapes, squares,
circles and abstract designs with a bold center piece that says it all
quite clearly "Peace, Love and Good Will."
Fryar got started on his yard shortly after moving to Bishopville.
He'd initially looked at a home in a primarily White neighborhood,
however, was discouraged from moving into neighborhood. Neighbors
would one day acknowledge that one of their fears had been that Fryar,
being Black, wouldn't take care of his yard.
There goes that stereotype.
In "A Man Named Pearl," directors Scott Galloway and Brent Pierson
have created a simple, straightforward documentary centered squarely
on Pearl, a laid back, faithful and often funny man whose humility
doesn't begin to reflect upon the considerable notoriety that his
topiary artistry has brought him.
Pearl has clearly put the small town of Bishopville on the map, as
virtually everyone from the Waffle House manager to the director of
the Chamber of Commerce acknowledges.
Pierson and Galloway have wisely not tried to change the quaint charm
of Bishopville, and the townsfolk come to life onscreen in the way
only a small town in South Carolina could. There's the local Black
preacher at the A.M.E. church who smiles as he acknowledges Pearl's
generous anonymous donations, as well as the almost used car salesman
approach from the Chamber of Commerce director. "A Man Named Pearl" is
consistently inspiring, but it's almost as equally funny.
From the local students who arrive for field trips to the tour buses
who stop by his yard regularly, it is clear that Pearl spends much of
his days giving and receiving love and appreciation. While there is a
donation box in front of his house, Pearl makes it very clear that
there is no fee to visit his grounds and nobody will ever be turned
down for inability to donate.
Pearl hasn't forgotten his roots, and he hasn't forgotten his
responsibility to lift up others along the way.
As Pearl so beautifully says "In this life you're gonna have
obstacles. The thing about it is, don't let those obstacles determine
where you go." Pearl Fryar has turned a life filled with road blocks
into a journey filled with the peace, love and good will he so
fervently offers others.
"A Man Named Pearl" is a simple film about a man who chooses to live
simply himself. Pierson and Galloway avoid camera tricks, gimmicks and
manipulative staging. Instead, they give us all we really need..."A
Man Named Pearl."
"A Man Named Pearl" received its world premiere at the 2006 Heartland
Film Festival where it received a Crystal Heart Award. Pearl himself
was on hand to receive the award during the Crystal Heart Awards Gala
this past weekend. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
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