The last time filmmaker Holly Charles-Pearson spoke with the Defender, it was on the eve of her debut movie, If They Took Us Back.
Nearly two years, 11 film festival screenings, and several major awards for that work (including Best Picture at the Hip-Hop Film Festival in New York City) later, Charles-Pearson is set to debut her latest work, Tying Knots.
Known for dramatic, serious, thought-provoking works of art (multiple plays along with her first film), Charles-Pearson is trying her hand at comedy – romantic comedy, to be specific. The movie is set to make its world premiere on Feb. 16 (President’s Day) at Match Theater in Houston at 7 p.m. A second screening will take place in Austin on Feb. 17.
Tying Knots synopsis
Written and directed by Charles-Pearson, Tying Knots stars Christal Luster (BET’s Churchy, The Hospital) as Sheila and Brandon Goss as Eric — a newlywed couple navigating life after “I do.” Tying Knots is a mockumentary romcom that captures the comedic friction and emotional warmth that comes with combining two strong personalities under one roof.
And according to Charles-Pearson, Tying Knots draws heavily on her own life experiences.
“Listen, I owe my husband some money here. If I’m being truly transparent, I got married later in life. I was almost 40 when I walked down the aisle, and that means I was very set in my ways, and he was set in his,” shared Charles-Pearson.
She spoke of that “weird transition period” that everyone feels in every relationship.
“You go from being like a fantasy, and you go from the girlfriend to being, ‘This is who I am when I’m at home. This is what I have to do in order to go out into the world, and I need for you to accept it,’” she added.
“The film is about acceptance. It’s about the fact that when a Black woman goes out into the world, she has to prepare herself in so many ways to be accepted, but she shouldn’t have to do it at home.”
Holly Charles-Pearson
Charles-Pearson then hinted at a beauty regimen Black women typically follow before bed, serving as a central “character” in the story’s plot.
“Really, the film is about acceptance. It’s about the fact that when a Black woman goes out into the world, she has to prepare herself in so many ways to be accepted, but she shouldn’t have to do it at home,” stated Charles-Pearson.
Nervous energy
Charles-Pearson confessed to being more nervous about Tying Knots than any of her previous works.
“I’ve written a book, done stage plays, and transitioned into film, but I’ve never done a comedy. So, I’m a little nervous because comedy is a participatory sport. It doesn’t work if the audience is not reacting and laughing,” she said.
Charles-Pearson said she’s grown comfortable with making her audiences think and with providing an underlying message. She says Tying Knots will still do both things, but in a different way.
“I wanted to create an environment where no one felt accused, no one felt heavy, but we could laugh at ourselves,” she said. “There still is this aspect of social impact. You still get to think about who you are and who you want to be. You just get to laugh instead of feeling like you’ve done something wrong.
“There are no accusations and no finger-pointing, but there definitely are moments where you may see yourself, and you may alter some behaviors.”
That spirit of Charles-Pearson’s positive, honest sincerity attracted top talent to the project, including the movie’s co-lead, Luster.
“I decided to join the project because the moment I met Holly, I knew that working with her would be life-changing,” said Luster. “I was inspired by her storytelling and the excellence with which she created cinema. And I’m glad to be a part of her legacy.”
Houston entrepreneur Misty Starks, who served as executive producer for If They Took Us Back, served in that same role for Charles-Pearson’s latest movie.
“Whether you’re married or single, this story will resonate with a lot of people because on some level, everyone wants to be accepted for who they really are,” said Starks.
Journey from first to second film
If the reaction to Tying Knots is anywhere near the reception Charles-Pearson received from her first film, her writing-directing star will be shining even brighter.
“We got into the Pan-African Film Festival, which is an Academy Award-qualifying festival. I couldn’t believe we got in over there. I was so excited to be in such great company. It’s the largest and one of the most prestigious African-American film festivals in the country,” said Charles-Pearson about the reaction to her first film, If They Took Us Back.
Kentrell Wright, who played Daniel in that film, won Best Male Performance at the New Jersey Film Festival. And among the many other awards and acknowledgements the film and Charles-Pearson received, one truly blew her away.
“When we got the nomination for the NAACP Image Award, I was like, ‘This is insane,’” she said.
Support this one
Nervous or not, Charles-Pearson continues to work. She’s already started on her next two projects, including a book and a film adaptation of a play she produced in Houston in 2019, Black, White, and Sunshine, which received rave reviews.
“Houston really came out and supported that play. To this day, it’s one of my own favorite works,” Charles-Pearson added about the work she always envisioned one day translated to the big screen
That said, she’s calling on Houston to support its own creatives, including herself, Tying Knots co-star and Houston native Goss, as well as Houston transplant Charnele Brown (Kimberley Reese on A Different World), who served as Goss’s acting coach.
Time is right
From Charles-Pearson’s perspective, the time is right for some levity.
“I think that we are all trauma’d out. And if I’m being very honest, because drama is where I live, I’m going to probably go back to drama. But this is an opportunity for Black joy,” she said. “There’s nothing traumatic. This is jovial. This is upbeat. This is a way for us to see ourselves in a very beautiful light.
“I just hope that people come out and have a good time where we can explore marriage and relationships and really speak to the beauty of Black love.”
