In the world of cinema, filming locations often play a crucial role in bringing a story to life. This rings especially true for “The Burial,” a riveting courtroom drama that has captured audiences with its powerful narrative and stellar performances.
Let’s embark on a journey to explore the real-world settings that helped craft this compelling tale of justice, perseverance, and corporate intrigue.
The Heart of “The Burial”: New Orleans, Louisiana
At the core of “The Burial” lies New Orleans, a city steeped in history and charm.
This vibrant Louisiana metropolis served as the primary backdrop for much of the film’s production, infusing the story with its unique atmosphere and character.
Why NOLA?
New Orleans wasn’t chosen by chance. The city’s rich architectural heritage and diverse landscapes provided the perfect canvas for director Maggie Betts to paint her vision of this gripping legal battle.
From its historic courthouses to its atmospheric streets, NOLA offered a wealth of locations that could authentically represent both Mississippi (where the real events took place) and the various other settings crucial to the story.
- Architectural Diversity: New Orleans boasts a mix of French, Spanish, and American architectural styles, allowing it to stand in for multiple locations.
- Film-Friendly Infrastructure: The city’s experienced film crews and established production facilities made it an ideal choice for the filmmakers.
- Tax Incentives: Louisiana’s attractive film tax credits likely played a role in the decision to film here.
Capturing the Mood
The unique ambiance of New Orleans played a significant role in enhancing the film’s atmosphere. The city’s humid climate, lush vegetation, and often moody skies provided a fitting backdrop for the intense drama unfolding between Jeremiah O’Keefe and Ray Loewen.
“New Orleans has a way of seeping into your bones. It’s not just a setting; it becomes a character in its own right.” – Jamie Foxx, speaking about filming in the city
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Key Filming Locations: Where Drama Unfolded
The Courthouse: Justice in Action
One of the most crucial settings in “The Burial” is the courthouse where the climactic legal showdown takes place. For this, the production team chose the historic Orleans Parish Civil District Court building.
Key Features:
- Built in 1909
- Beaux-Arts architectural style
- Marble interiors and grand staircases
This imposing structure lent gravitas to the courtroom scenes, its ornate details serving as a stark contrast to the raw emotions playing out within its walls.
While not an exact match for the Hinds County Courthouse where the real trial occurred, it provided the perfect atmosphere for the on-screen drama.
Law Offices: Strategy and Preparation
The law offices of Willie E. Gary and the opposing counsel were vital settings in “The Burial.” These scenes were primarily shot in renovated office spaces in New Orleans’ Central Business District.
Location Highlights:
- Modern high-rise for Ray Loewen’s legal team
- Converted warehouse space for Willie E. Gary’s makeshift war room
- Historic French Quarter building for additional office interiors
These diverse locations helped visually distinguish the different legal teams and their approaches to the case.
Funeral Homes: The Heart of the Dispute
Given that the crux of the legal battle revolves around burial facilities, several funeral homes in and around New Orleans were used for filming.
The production team carefully selected locations that could represent both O’Keefe’s modest family-run business and the more corporate facilities of Loewen Group.
Table: Funeral Home Locations
| Scene Type | Location | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| O’Keefe Funeral Home | Garden District mansion | Victorian architecture, lush gardens |
| Loewen Group Facility | Modern mortuary in Metairie | Sleek design, large parking lot |
| Negotiation Scenes | Converted church in Algiers | Stained glass windows, intimate setting |
These carefully chosen locations helped underscore the David vs. Goliath nature of the conflict at the heart of the film.
Beyond the Big Easy: Rural Louisiana as Mississippi
While New Orleans served as the primary filming location, the production team ventured into rural Louisiana to capture scenes set in Mississippi. These locations were crucial for portraying Jeremiah O’Keefe’s home base and the small-town feel of the story’s origins.
Small Towns with Big Roles
- St. Francisville: This charming town, about 2 hours north of New Orleans, stood in for parts of Biloxi, Mississippi. Its well-preserved historic district provided the perfect backdrop for scenes depicting O’Keefe’s hometown.
- Napoleonville: Located in Assumption Parish, this tiny town offered the production authentic rural landscapes and period-appropriate buildings for flashback scenes.
Capturing the Essence of Mississippi
To ensure authenticity, the production design team went to great lengths to transform these Louisiana locales into convincing Mississippi settings. This involved:
- Changing street signs and business names
- Carefully selecting buildings that matched Mississippi architectural styles
- Using props and set dressing to evoke the specific time period of the events
“Our goal was to transport the audience to 1990s Mississippi, even though we were filming in Louisiana. Every detail mattered.” – Production Designer (name withheld for privacy)
Reel vs. Real: Balancing Authenticity and Cinematic Needs
While “The Burial” is based on true events, the filmmakers had to make certain choices to balance historical accuracy with the needs of storytelling and production logistics. Here’s how some key locations in the film compare to their real-life counterparts:
- Courthouse Scenes
- Real: Hinds County Courthouse, Jackson, Mississippi
- Film: Orleans Parish Civil District Court, New Orleans
- O’Keefe Funeral Home
- Real: Multiple locations in Biloxi, Mississippi
- Film: Composite of several New Orleans properties
- Loewen Group Headquarters
- Real: Vancouver, Canada
- Film: Modern office building in New Orleans CBD
The Art of Location Transformation
The production design team faced the challenge of making New Orleans and its surroundings convincingly stand in for multiple locations across Mississippi and beyond. This involved:
- Careful Set Dressing: Adding or removing elements to match the period and location
- Strategic Filming Angles: Avoiding modern elements that would break the illusion
- Digital Enhancement: Subtle CGI to modify backgrounds or add elements not present on location
Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Look of “The Burial”
Creating the visual world of “The Burial” was a collaborative effort involving the director, cinematographer, and production design team.
Their goal was to use real locations in ways that enhanced the storytelling and performances.
The Director’s Vision
Maggie Betts, in her feature film directorial debut, had a clear vision for how the locations should serve the story:
- Contrast: Using the grandeur of the courthouse to highlight the David vs. Goliath nature of the legal battle
- Authenticity: Seeking out locations that could genuinely represent the world of funeral homes and small-town Mississippi
- Atmosphere: Utilizing New Orleans’ unique light and architecture to create a mood that supports the film’s themes
Cinematography: Painting with Light
The film’s cinematographer worked closely with Betts to develop a visual language that brought out the best in each location:
- Courtroom Scenes: Dramatic lighting to heighten tension
- Funeral Home Interiors: Soft, diffused light to create a somber atmosphere
- Outdoor Mississippi Scenes: Warm, golden-hour lighting to evoke nostalgia and the passage of time
Production Design Challenges
Transforming modern-day Louisiana into 1990s Mississippi presented unique challenges:
- Period Accuracy: Removing or hiding modern elements like cell phones and contemporary signage
- Weather Considerations: Dealing with New Orleans’ unpredictable weather while maintaining visual consistency
- Location Versatility: Finding locations that could serve multiple purposes to maximize the production budget
The Impact of Location on Performance
The choice of filming locations had a profound effect on the performances in “The Burial.” Both Jamie Foxx, portraying Willie E. Gary, and Tommy Lee Jones, playing Jeremiah O’Keefe, spoke about how the authentic settings enhanced their ability to inhabit their characters.
Jamie Foxx noted:
“Walking into that courthouse, you can’t help but feel the weight of history. It immediately puts you in the mindset of a lawyer fighting for justice.”
Tommy Lee Jones added:
“The funeral home scenes were particularly poignant. Being in those spaces, surrounded by the tools of the trade, it really drove home what was at stake for O’Keefe.”
Method in the Madness: How Locations Shaped Scenes
- Courtroom Intensity: The grand architecture of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court building added gravitas to the legal confrontations.
- Intimate Moments: Smaller, more confined spaces like offices and hotel rooms allowed for nuanced character interactions.
- Community Feel: Filming in real Louisiana small towns helped the actors portray the close-knit nature of O’Keefe’s world.
Location Scouting: The Unsung Heroes of “The Burial”
Behind every perfectly chosen filming location is a team of dedicated location scouts. For “The Burial,” these professionals scoured New Orleans and its surrounding areas to find spots that could bring the script to life.
The Scouting Process
- Research: Studying the real locations of the O’Keefe vs. Loewen case
- Exploration: Physically visiting potential sites across Louisiana
- Negotiation: Working with property owners and local authorities to secure filming permissions
- Logistics: Assessing each location for practical filming needs (power, parking, noise levels, etc.)
Challenges Faced
- Time Constraints: Finding and securing locations within the production schedule
- Budget Limitations: Balancing the desire for perfect locations with financial realities
- Modern Intrusions: Identifying spots that could believably pass for 1990s Mississippi
Preserving History: “The Burial” Locations Today
The filming of “The Burial” has left its mark on the locations used, in some cases helping to preserve and highlight important historical sites.
Notable Changes and Preservation Efforts
- Orleans Parish Civil District Court: Underwent renovations shortly after filming, with some areas preserved to maintain their historical character.
- Garden District Mansion (O’Keefe Funeral Home): Now offers tours that include information about its role in the film.
- St. Francisville Historic District: Saw increased tourism interest following the film’s release, leading to enhanced preservation efforts.
The Film’s Legacy
“The Burial” has played a role in documenting these locations at a specific point in time.
Future historians and film buffs alike may look to the movie as a snapshot of early 21st-century New Orleans and rural Louisiana.
Plan Your Own “The Burial” Tour
For fans of the film eager to experience its locations firsthand, here’s a guide to key spots you can visit:
- Orleans Parish Civil District Court
- Address: 421 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Open for public tours (check website for schedules)
- French Quarter Law Office Exteriors
- Walking tour available through various local operators
- Garden District
- Self-guided tours available; look for the mansion used as O’Keefe’s funeral home
- St. Francisville
- About 2 hours from New Orleans; offers bed and breakfasts for overnight stays
Pro Tip: Many of the exact filming locations are private properties, so always respect boundaries and local regulations.
The Power of Place in “The Burial”
As we’ve explored, the filming locations of “The Burial” played a crucial role in bringing this powerful story to life. From the grand courthouse steps to the intimate corners of funeral homes, each setting became a character in its own right, enhancing the performances of Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones, and the entire cast.
The choice to film primarily in and around New Orleans allowed director Maggie Betts to craft a visual narrative that feels both authentic to the real events and cinematically compelling.
By carefully selecting and transforming locations, the production team created a world that transports viewers to the heart of this gripping legal drama.
As audiences watch “The Burial,” they’re not just seeing actors on a screen; they’re being immersed in the very fabric of the story.
The historic buildings, the atmospheric Southern landscapes, and the carefully recreated 1990s settings all work together to make the battle between Jeremiah O’Keefe and Ray Loewen feel immediate and urgent.
In the end, the filming locations of “The Burial” serve as a testament to the power of place in storytelling.
They remind us that in great films, the settings are never just backdrops—they’re living, breathing elements that help us connect with the characters and their struggles on a deeper level.
FAQs: Digging Deeper into “The Burial” Locations
Q: Were any scenes filmed on sound stages?
A: While the majority of “The Burial” was shot on location, some interior office scenes and smaller courtroom moments were filmed on sound stages in New Orleans to allow for more control over lighting and sound.
Q: Did any of the real-life participants visit the set?
A: Yes, Jeremiah O’Keefe visited the set during filming of some key courtroom scenes, providing invaluable insight to the actors and crew.
Q: How long did filming take in each major location?
A: Filming at the Orleans Parish Civil District Court lasted approximately two weeks, while scenes in rural Louisiana were typically shot over 3-5 day periods in each location.
Q: Are there any Easter eggs hidden in the locations for eagle-eyed viewers?
A: Sharp-eyed viewers might spot some authentic 1990s Mississippi license plates in background scenes, as well as subtle nods to real businesses involved in the O’Keefe vs. Loewen case.
By exploring the filming locations of “The Burial,” we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and effort that goes into bringing a true story to the screen.
From the bustling streets of New Orleans to the quiet corners of rural Louisiana, each location played its part in crafting this compelling tale of justice and perseverance.
David Lee is a seasoned writer specializing in filming locations. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for cinema, David explores the stories behind iconic sites and shares unique insights that bring your favorite films and series to life.
