In her new film, ‘Some Real Sugar Honey Iced Tea,’ screenwriter Eboni Ferguson tells the compelling story of a young businesswoman who embarks on the journey of starting her own tea company, inspired by her mother’s cherished recipe.
Ferguson herself stars in the film, drawing from her personal experiences while incorporating elements that resonate with wider urban narratives. She candidly shares her mixed feelings about her mother’s tea, admitting, “I didn’t really like the tea that much, but everyone else loved it.”
The film spotlights Ayana, a Philadelphia native, as she navigates the challenges of launching her business, coping with her mother’s addiction issues, and discovering love. These themes reflect Ferguson’s own upbringing in West Philly, emphasizing the intricacies of urban life and the resilience of the Philadelphia community.
Scheduled to premiere on Sunday, August 31, at Maddie’s Place on Cedar Avenue, the film is set to become available on Tubi within the month. Ferguson expresses hope that a larger streaming service will pick it up for wider distribution.
Interestingly, while the film is not a direct autobiography, it draws heavily from Ferguson’s life experiences, including her father’s struggles with addiction and her personal encounters with discrimination. She elaborates on how the screenplay captures themes like colorism, sharing, “Everything about everything that Ayana goes through is not about Eboni, but a lot of it came from my own experiences, even her struggles with colorism in her home.”
Ferguson’s dedication to showcasing Philadelphia shines through in the film, as it was shot entirely in the city, except for a single scene filmed in the Poconos. Iconic locations such as South Street, Market Street, and Penn’s Landing make appearances, along with a notable feature of the Philly Girls Jump double dutch team in Awbury Park.
Reflecting on her motivations, Ferguson describes the project as a heartfelt tribute to Philadelphia, aiming to highlight the city’s vibrant arts culture and cover the beautiful aspects often eclipsed by narratives focused solely on gun violence and crime.
Moreover, the film features a cameo by Philadelphia novelist Omar Tyree, celebrated for his bestselling novel ‘Flyy Girl.’ Ferguson regards working with Tyree as a significant accomplishment, recalling, “I used to always tell my friends, ‘I’m gonna work with Omar one day.'”
This collaboration symbolizes a dream realized for Ferguson and adds a rich layer to the film, intertwining her childhood admiration for Tyree with her adult ambitions as a filmmaker.
Produced by FWI Productions and 54Vision Productions and directed by Courtney Lyneé, ‘Some Real Sugar Honey Iced Tea’ emerges as a multifaceted narrative that intertwines personal stories with broader social themes, reflecting both the struggles and beauties of life in Philadelphia.
image source from：phillyvoice
