Film based on interracial couple to be filmed in Virginia

Published May 14, 2015 by Robert Powell, III

Virginia will be the site of a film based on a couple whose interracial marriage resulted in a landmark civil rights decision by the Supreme Court.

The motion picture “Loving” will be based on the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, who were arrested in 1958 for violating a Virginia  law prohibiting interracial marriage.

The Lovings sued, and in 1967 the United States Supreme Court struck down state laws banning interracial marriage.  In recent years, the case has been cited in a number of recent federal lawsuits challenging state bans against same-sex marriage.

“Mildred andRichard Loving were not political activists,” Nancy Buirski, one of the film’s producer, said in a statement. “They considered themselves to be an ordinary couple who loved each other and were willing to fight for the right to live together and raise their children in peace in their home state.  We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received in Virginia as we seek to do justice to the story of this courageous couple.”

The film will star Ruth Negga (known for “World War Z” and  “The Samaritan”)and Joel Edgerton (“The Great Gatsby,” “Zero Dark Thirty”).  It will be directed by Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” “ Take Shelter”). The film was inspired by “The Loving Story,” an HBO documentary also produced and directed by Buirski.

She is producing the movie with Sarah Green, who last worked in Virginia as a producer for the Terrence Malick film “The New World.”Other producers include Colin Firth, Ged Doherty, Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf. Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Jack Turner are executive producers. 

The project, which will be filmed in the Central Virginia area, will be eligible for incentive funding.  The Virginia Film Office said the exact amount of incentives will be based on the production’s expenditures in the state and certain agreements to promote Virginia.