Benton Co. Pearl Attraction To Appear in International Film Documentary

Faction Films, Ltd., London UK, has contacted the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum and Farm of Camden, for permission to use them as part of their upcoming documentary. The independent American filmmaker from Colorado has lived and worked in London for over 20 years. The film company, Faction Films, has created over 60 documentaries for BBC, Ch4, LWT, PBS, Bravo and a variety of other international broadcasters over the years and has numerous awards to their credit.

Director Sylvia Stevens said, "The feature-length documentary, Aphrodite's Drop, will be about the desire for adornment through the history of pearls. While telling the role of pearls in history (i.e. through royal courts and the scientific developments in pearl culture), the film will still be very much about today, along with the beauty, and stories that go into making and marketing these little gems."

A number of broadcasters have already been secured. The theme of the film will be "Evening on Pearls, " for ARTE the European Cultural Channel. It will be shown at prime time on a Sunday evening in Belgium, France, and Germany. The film company's other co-producers are AVRO Netherlands, STV Sweden, YLE Finland, SBS Australia, NHK Japan. Lisa Heller from HBO has expressed an interest in the film for their Cinemax slot. "Once we have over half of the film shot we will be discussing HBO's involvement with her," said producer Justine Faram. The film will be sold internationally by our film agent TVF.

Sylvia Stevens, Director, remarked "we did not originally think of filming in Tennessee, therefore, it is not in our budget. We were mainly interested in the Tennessee nuclei that goes to the Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan, but learning more about this Tennessee operation has inspired me. We were mainly interested in China and Japan for freshwater pearls - but it is such a surprise that you have the only freshwater pearl farm in North America. and who would have guessed Tennessee!!! We will be talking to Ward Landrigan in the film who sold Richard Burton "La Peregrina" and I love the idea that some of the pearls harvested from the Tennessee River are actually in the necklace."

Burton presented Elizabeth Taylor this one of a kind piece, originated by Cartier Jewelers of New York on Valentines Day.

Faction Films will be flying via the US to Tahiti, Australia, and Japan, filming with Perles de Tahiti, Autore South Sea Pearls and Mikimoto's Pearl Island. They will arrive into Nashville for a recee site inspection of the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum and Farm at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31. Owner, Bob Keast, along with State of Tennessee Film and Entertainment Commission Director David Bennett and Location Director Nathan Lux, will serve as the welcoming committee for the international visitors.

"Having visited your web site, www.BirdsongResort.com, it looks wonderful and 'A Pearl of a Tour' could be a very interesting inclusion in the film. It could be interesting for you (the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm and Museum) and Tennessee for more of the world to know you have these gems there!" exclaimed Stevens. The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl is Tennessee's Official State Gem.

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to highlight our attraction and rural west Tennessee globally. I anticipate HBO/Cinemax to feature this documentary to all of America , in the near future. We really appreciate the cooperation of the Tennessee Department of Film, Entertainment, Music and the Department of Tourist Development," said Bob Keast. The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm, Museum and Tour is among the top twenty most-visited attractions in the state of Tennesseee.

The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm and Museum - hosted by Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground can be found at the Birdsong Exit #133 off I-40 in Camden, Tennessee. The museum, mini-theatre, farm and jewelry showroom are open daily, all year around. Walk-in visitors may enjoy a short film clip and a brief orientation. "A Pearl of a Tour" requires reservations. For more information call 731-584-7880 or 800-225-7469 or visit the website at www.TennesseeRiverPearls.com.