A Man Named Pearl
A Man Named Pearl tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar, whose unlikely journey to national prominence began with a bigoted remark. In 1976, Pearl took a job in a can factory in Bishopville, South Carolina. New to this rural southern town, he and his wife Metra looked at a house for sale in an all-white neighborhood. The Fryars' real estate agent was notified by neighbors in the prospective neighborhood that a black family was not welcome. A homeowner voiced the collective concern: "Black people don't keep up their yards."
That concern motivated Pearl to prove that misguided man wrong. His goal was modest, but clear: to become the first African-American to win Bishopville's "Yard of the Month" award. Realizing he would have to do something spectacular, Pearl began cutting every bush and tree in his yard into unusual, abstract shapes. He didn't know it then, but he was creating a magical wonderland that would, in time, not only garner local recognition, but draw thousands of visitors from across the United States and around the world.
Now 68, Pearl has been featured in dozens of local and national magazines and newspapers. The media interest that Pearl and his topiary garden generates helps steer much-needed tourist dollars into Bishopville and Lee County, the poorest county in the state of South Carolina. But the impact that Pearl and his art have had on his community is not just economic. Visitors who wander Pearl's three-and-a-half-acre property quickly recognize that love is the garden's central theme. Meticulously etched into the ground in huge, flower-filled letters are three words: LOVE, PEACE & GOODWILL. These are the guiding principles by which Pearl lives his life and how he's been "keeping up his yard" for nearly 30 years.
A Man Named Pearl is a subtle and intriguing film that opens both hearts and minds. It offers an upbeat message that speaks to respect for both self and others, and shows what one person can achieve when he allows himself to share the full expression of his humanity.
Trailer
Credits
Directors/Producers: Scott Galloway, Brent Pierson
Cinematographer: J. Steven Anderson
Editor: Greg Grzeszczak
Composer: Fred Story
Running time: 78 min.
Website: www.amannamedpearl.com
About the Filmmaker
SCOTT GALLOWAY has produced or executive-produced more than 650 television programs for networks including ABC, A&E, Court TV, ESPN, Food Network, HGTV, History Channel and the Travel Channel.
In 1999, Galloway co-founded Tentmakers Entertainment, a television and film production company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tentmakers went on to produce more than 500 television programs for six different networks.
Highlights of his television career include writing and producing the A&E documentary special America's Castles and subsequently overseeing the highly acclaimed series of the same name. He produced the Court TV series Crime Stories and The Greatest Trials of All Time, including the New York Film and Television Award-winning documentary The Scottsboro Boys. Galloway co-created and supervised the HGTV series Restore America. He co-created and executive-produced the Food Network series Food Finds and Food Fight and more than 20 network specials. And he created and executive-produced the Turner South Network series Blue Ribbon and Three-Day Weekend, two of the network's highest-rated series and a Telly Award winner.
In 2006, Galloway formed Susie Films to specialize in high-end documentary film production. In addition to A Man Named Pearl, Galloway recently directed and produced the feature-length documentary Children of All Ages.