EXCLUSIVE: Production has recently wrapped in Philadelphia on Joy Will Prevail, a period drama about the final three years in the life of architect Louis Kahn, and the relationships — both romantic and professional — that inspired his final residential commission.
The film stars Griffin Dunne (After Hours) as Kahn, alongside Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid’s Tale), Ben Rosenfield (Mickey and The Bear), Molly Ephraim (A League of Their Own), and Jennifer Beals (Flashdance). It is written and directed by Max Korman marking his feature debut.
Set in the early 1970s, Joy Will Prevail follows Kahn at the height of his career, designing monumental structures around the world, while quietly navigating a complex personal life: having fathered children with three different women – his wife, Esther Kahn (Beals), and two longtime partners, including landscape architect Harriet Pattison (Bledel) – all of whom live with the knowledge of one another.
When a young father, Steve Korman (Rosenfield), with the support of his wife, Toby Korman (Ephraim), approaches Kahn to design a country home for his family, the architect initially declines. But, as personal and professional tensions mount, he unexpectedly agrees, beginning a three-year collaboration that serves as a creative and spiritual reckoning for both men. It would culminate in the final house that Kahn ever designed, completed shortly before his sudden and mysterious death.
Pic is currently in post-production and was produced by J. Andrew Greenblatt, Derek Dienner through his Lancaster-based production company Make/Films, and Alex Peace-Power.
Filming took place at key architectural landmarks in Fort Washington and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including the Kahn Korman House, the Margaret Esherick House, and the Vanna Venturi House; as well as on location in various sites throughout Lancaster, Pennsylvania, including Armstrong World Industries and Penn Square.
“The story behind Louis Kahn’s final residential commission exists in the tradition of the American Western: the passing of generations; the wanderer and the settler; a family taking root in a changing world,” stated Max Korman, the writer-director of the film. “At a time when architecture is regaining cultural relevance – particularly in cinema – I’m excited to share this personal project, brought to life by an extraordinary cast and crew.”
Estonian-born American architect Kahn was considered by some at the time of his death in 1974 as “America’s foremost living architect”. Known for his monumental and monolithic style, he served as professor of architecture at Yale School of Architecture and professor of architecture at the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. His notable designs included The Salk Institute in La Jolla, California and the First Unitarian Church in Rochester, New York.
Griffin Dunne is repped by Constellation and UTA. Ben Rosenfield is repped by Entertainment 360 and Gersh. Molly Ephraim is repped by Range Media Partners and Innovative Artists. Alexis Bledel is repped by Industry Entertainment and Innovative Artists. Jennifer Beals is repped by Constellation
and CAA.