Young Lee, a Korean American movie producer who calls Mississippi home, has announced plans for his newest flick.
“Sisters” is described by Lee as an “inspirational movie about Mississippi.” The historical fiction drama recounts the lives of three women who meet inside a nursing home 60 years after being forced to resettle from their homes when the state government decided to build the Ross Barnett Reservoir Dam. The women – Tiffany, Merriam, and Sara – had never seen their paths cross before, but their stories that include racial and social differences spark an unexpected friendship over a game of cards.
“This story is about the Pearl River reservoir. It’s a story about the people who lived there. The reservoir’s dam was constructed in 1963, and after they built the dam, people had to move out,” Lee said. “It’s a story about those people losing their houses. This involves three ladies and their life stories from 1964 through 2024. This was the first time they met, and they start talking about their lives.”
Lee, who has lived in Canton for nearly three decades and owns Red Door Studios, is in the process of bringing some big-time names to join the cast and crew. Mark Fincannon, a three-time Emmy-winning casting director, joined as the independent film’s casting director earlier this week.
“This is such a powerful story,” Fincannon said. He has worked extensively with Hollywood greats such as George Lucas and Steven Spielberg and may be known to Mississippians for his work behind the camera on “The Blind Side,” the 2008 film that portrayed the rags-to-riches story of former Ole Miss football player Michael Oher.
Also joining the production is action director Eddie Matthews, who has worked on over 200 feature film sets including “Jurassic World” and “Captain America.”
Lee is hopeful to bring another big Mississippi name into the fold: Morgan Freeman. While conversations with the state’s most famous actor have not begun, Lee’s team has put together a grassroots campaign to try to sway Freeman. It includes a viral TikTok song called “Morgan Freeman, Please Join Us.”
@reddoorstudios7 Please support the Mississippi film industry. #Mississippi #movie #Morgan ♬ original sound – Red Door Studios
If Freeman does decide to join, Lee has a part already in mind. The character, Blind Billy, is a blues guitarist who decided not to move from his home even after the government demanded he do so.
“I have a part of a blues guitarist, and I wrote it specifically for Morgan Freeman,” he said. “I don’t want to talk too much, but he drowns playing the last song. They want to move him out of his place, but he didn’t want to. He says, ‘I didn’t have a choice as to where I was born, but I have a choice as to where I’m going to die.'”
Whether Freeman joins the cast or not, Lee is planning to take full advantage of the homegrown talent that can be found in Mississippi. Open auditions for actors, extras, singers, and movie staff will be held June 7 and June 28 between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Shaggy’s on the Reservoir in Brandon.
“We want to give opportunities to Mississippi people,” Lee said. “We want to hire Mississippi actors, artists, and staff like camera guys. I believe there is so much hidden talent in Mississippi, and I want to give them opportunities.”
“Sisters” has an estimated budget of $10 million, over $1 million of it already raised. The production will utilize Mississippi’s 25% film incentive, and if all goes to plan, Lee said this will be a movie that helps put the state on the map of best places to film.
“I really feel like we’re going to win some big awards, even possibly an Academy Award,” he said. “One thing that’s different with [other award-winning movies] is that I plan to stay in Mississippi. I have a mission for Mississippi.”
