“The Burial” is a courtroom drama inspired by a 1999 New Yorker piece about funeral operator Jeremiah O’Keefe’s bankruptcy in Mississippi. Jamie Foxx plays Willie E. Gary, an attorney. Maggie Betts directed the film. It depicts the legal battle between Ray Loewen, who represents a large corporation seeking to purchase O’Keefe’s burial facilities, and O’Keefe, who is trying to preserve his family’s history.
O’Keefe hires Gary to help him when things go wrong. Gary is charismatic, confident, and determined. He wants to expose corporate wrongdoing. Gary has to find a way to win the case against a stronger opponent.
The film also looks at racial injustices but keeps a humorous and memorable plot. Other actors like Bill Camp, Mamoudou Athie, Tommy Lee Jones, and Jurnee Smollett give strong performances. The beautiful locations in the film also catch our attention.
Where was “The Burial” Filmed?
“The Burial” was filmed entirely in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although the story is set in Jackson, Mississippi, the filming took place in New Orleans. The director, Maggie Betts, started looking for locations and cemeteries as early as November 2021. The main photography started on March 3, 2022, and finished on April 28, 2022, almost two months later.
A notice from the production company, Double Nickel Entertainment in New York, said the filming was supposed to start on February 28 in New Orleans.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is known as the “Hollywood of the South.” It offers good production facilities, beautiful backgrounds, and many historic buildings. These make it a popular place for filmmakers.
The director was on location for four months, setting up sets and looking for the right places to film. In late March 2022, Betts talked about her experience using a drone to take pictures of the scenes. The cast and crew were seen in and around New Orleans during the production.
Specific Locations
Some scenes were filmed at 550 Baronne Street, which is the Virgin Hotels New Orleans. The cast and crew enjoyed the hotel’s 4-star amenities and friendly service during their breaks.
The Mississippi Film Office confirmed that Jamie Foxx would not travel to Jackson for the shooting. But some exterior shots of Jackson might be included in the film. This led to the decision to film only in New Orleans.
The Real Story
“The Burial” is based on a real civil trial between Willie E. Gary and Loewen Funeral Company in 1995. The movie is a work of fiction but inspired by real events. The script by Doug Wright and Maggie Betts was inspired by a 1999 article by journalist Jonathan Harr in the New Yorker. Betts added her own creative touches to the story.
Artistic License
Director Ron Howard had thought about adapting the script in the 1990s, but Maggie Betts took it on and added her unique spin. She introduced a central fictitious character, defense attorney Mame Downes (played by Jurnee Smollett). Downes is based on one of the Black lawyers in Loewen’s real team.
Betts made Downes a strong Black opponent who understands the racial issues in the case but is determined to win. As an African-American director, Betts found the issue of race very interesting.
A mostly Black jury would have appreciated the two white men in the case who hired Black attorneys. Betts included race in the story to help viewers understand important parts of the case, without making it the main focus.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Burial
Q: Where was “The Burial” filmed?
A: “The Burial” was filmed entirely in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite the story being set in Jackson, Mississippi, the entire production took place in New Orleans, which is known for its rich history and beautiful scenery.
Q: Why was New Orleans chosen as the filming location for “The Burial”?
A: New Orleans was chosen for its excellent production facilities, scenic backdrops, and historic buildings. It is also known as the “Hollywood of the South,” making it a popular destination for filmmakers.
Q: When was “The Burial” filmed?
A: The main filming for “The Burial” started on March 3, 2022, and concluded on April 28, 2022. Director Maggie Betts had begun looking for filming locations as early as November 2021.
Q: When will “The Burial” be released?
A: “The Burial” was released on October 13, 2023.
Q: What inspired the story of “The Burial”?
A: “The Burial” is inspired by a 1999 New Yorker article about the bankruptcy of funeral director Jeremiah O’Keefe in Mississippi. The movie is based on a real civil trial between attorney Willie E. Gary and the Loewen Funeral Company in 1995.
