Recently released in the Amazon Prime Video catalog, O Próprio Burial tells the story of a lawyer who represents the owner of a Mississippi funeral home in a lawsuit against a large multinational. The film starring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones is a success on the platform, but did you know that it is inspired by a true story? Let’s explore the details of this work, seeing what is real or not in the film!
The plot of The Burial itself
The plot of the film follows the life of Jeremiah O’Keefe (played by Tommy Lee Jones), the owner of a famous funeral home in Mississippi, who sees all his business and assets go down the drain when he makes a no-contract deal. , which turned out to be a real coup.
Determined not to file for bankruptcy and looking to change his situation, Jeremiah hires the articulate, charismatic and unstoppable lawyer Willie E. Gary (played by Jamie Foxx), who is known to dedicate himself completely to the cases he takes on.
Now the two together face a true multinational giant in a trial with the aim not only of recovering the entrepreneur’s assets, but also of restoring his dignity.
The true story of the film
The film, as mentioned, is inspired by a real trial between Gary and the Loewen Funeral Company, which took place in 1995. But even if it is a film based on true events, it does not follow the reality of the cases in a 100% truthful way. and faithfully, as director Maggie Betts decided to take creative liberties to better fit the film’s content, as well as emphasize causes and topics relevant to the work, such as the racial issues heavily addressed in the film.
In the team representing the Loewen Group in real life, the majority of the lawyers were predominantly men, while in the film we see a legal team composed mainly of women of color. This is one of the reasons that Betts decided to adapt differently in her film, bringing the issue of female space and racism to the screen.
Additionally, the film highlights an agreement between a business conglomerate and a religious organization, highlighting the exploitation of the African-American community. The company reported substantial profits, while churches and vendors received minimal compensation. This approach was adopted to emphasize issues related to economic exploitation and delve into the central themes of production.
In The Burial itself, there is a scene where Willie Gary questions Ray Loewen about the price of his yacht. It is important to note that this episode is based on real events from the trial. However, the portrayal of a young black lawyer as Gary’s primary legal adversary is a creation of cinematic storytelling. In fact, Loewen hired a team of experienced black professionals, led by antitrust expert Richard Sinkfield.
Willie’s motivation for becoming a lawyer, as presented in the film, is also divergent and is much less romantic in reality. In real life, Willie was already involved in the legal field when he faced racial discrimination when trying to rent a property. However, in the context of O Próprio Burial, this situation is described as the starting point that led him to choose a career as a lawyer.
Jeremiah O’Keefe died in 2016 at the age of 93, leaving his legacy at Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he was buried. Willie Gary, in turn, is currently 76 years old and lives in Eastman, Georgia, United States, where he still practices as a lawyer.
O Próprio Burial is a production that skillfully mixes elements of fact and fiction, demonstrating the power of telling stories inspired by real events. Despite the creative liberties taken, the film manages to capture the essence of Willie Gary’s struggle and his tireless commitment to seeking justice.
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Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
