Country music artist to film a Civil War movie drama, Josephine, in Virginia

The historical authenticity of Virginia continues to draw film production to the state.  The feature film Josephine will be filming in Halifax County this spring, helmed by Academy of Country Music award-winner Rory Feek.

Josephine is a Civil War drama about a woman who enlists in the confederate army as a man in order to find her missing husband…and is based on actual letters and events.

“The project was originally inspired by historical letters I read written by John Robison to his wife Josephine.  I created a song and music video based on them also titled Josephine…but then a few years later, someone sent me letters from Josephine to John, and a whole different story began to unfold that was much larger.  The film’s screenplay centers around the deep love these two characters have for one another,” according to a quote from writer/director Rory Feek.

“Virginia offers filmmakers an unrivaled historical and visual backdrop for important stories of all kinds,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This project will showcase the exceptional natural beauty of this area of the Commonwealth and shine a light on the loyalty, dedication and sacrifice made by women during the Civil War. I am proud to welcome the filmmakers to Virginia.”

Feek and producer/co-writer Aaron Carnahan were first drawn to the landscape of Virginia on a creative level. “We not only fell in love with the beauty of the land and its history, but also with the people here today.  The communities of Halifax and South Boston have been extremely supportive and are one of the main reasons we chose to film here, in addition to the incentives, of course,” Carnahan was quoted as saying in the press release.

Josephine begins filming at the end of April in and around Berry Hill Resort and other surrounding former tobacco plantations that serve the story so well.

Virginia based casting director and producer Erica Arvold and her team have joined the filmmakers. “When someone outside of Virginia comes to the area with such a compelling story, we are thrilled to help actualize the vision.” Arvold was quoted as saying in a press release.

Another Virginia filmmaker, Kevin Hershberger, who specializes in Civil War period films and battle reenactments, has joined the production as well.