The film was shot in various locations in Louisiana, particularly in areas reflecting the historical setting of the Mississippi Delta in 1932. The narrative delves into the supernatural, intertwining it with the rich tapestry of African American cultural history. The plot largely centers around a blues juke joint that serves as a key gathering place, and explores a past deeply haunted by historical events. The production involved extensive set construction, meticulously recreating the atmosphere and structures of that era to transport viewers to a specific time and place. The visual storytelling combines period-appropriate design with subtle symbolic elements, enhancing the narrative depth and connecting it to significant cultural references.

Filming Locations:

Laurel Valley Plantation

In the Movie

Scene where young Sammy Moore first enters his father's church, a pivotal moment marking an early point in the narrative. This particular church building was a detailed set constructed specifically for the film on the plantation grounds, designed to recreate the architectural style of real Delta-era churches.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Laurel Valley Plantation, a historic sugar plantation complex that is the largest intact 19th-20th century sugar plantation in the United States. This site, where up to 135 enslaved people lived and worked before the Civil War, provides a historically significant and somber backdrop for the film's narrative.

Former Hidden Oaks Golf Course

In the Movie

Scene where the film's central locations—the sawmill and the blues juke joint—came to life. These significant structures, fundamental to the story's setting and atmosphere, were specially built on the expansive grounds of the former golf course.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the former Hidden Oaks Golf Course, which has been closed since 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. This location offered an ideal overgrown and secluded environment, providing ample space and natural features, including water, for constructing major sets such as the sawmill and juke joint.

Annie's House

In the Movie

Scene where Annie's house, a significant location in the film, was built from scratch. This specially constructed residence played a central role in the narrative, serving as a key place for character interactions and plot development.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in a rural, undeveloped area near Private Road 724 in Belle Rose, Louisiana. This specific location was chosen because it provided the necessary isolation and natural setting, allowing the production team to build Annie's house set entirely from scratch, precisely according to the film's requirements.

Old Bogalusa Railroad Depot

In the Movie

Scene where the Clarksdale train station was recreated using computer graphics. This key location, necessary for conveying travel and movement in the 1930s setting, utilized the existing historic depot to achieve a realistic period look.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Bogalusa Railroad Depot, a building constructed in 1907 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This well-preserved historic structure served as an authentic foundation, which was then enhanced digitally to represent the Clarksdale train station.