‘Satan Is Real,’ Film About Christian Country Music Duo Louvin Brothers

By Alison Lesley --
17 May 2019 --

The film is a part biopic about the Louvin Brothers and their tempestuous personal relationship

Hollywood actor Ethan Hawke will team up with his friend Alessandro Nivola to film Satan is Real[/tweetit], a story about the legendary country musicians the Louvin Brothers. The two shared a fractured personal history forged by jealousy, equal parts of love and hate, and of course, alcohol. One Louvin brother was a disciplined Christian and the other an entropic rebel. The name of the proposed movie comes after the famous album released by the brothers bearing the name Satan is Real.

‘Satan Is Real,’ Film About Christian Country Music Duo Louvin Brothers[/tweetthis]

Phil Morrison, a known face to both Hawke and Nivola, is slated to direct the film. He and Nivola have worked together on the film Junebug. The screenplay is being written by Shelby Gaines and Jon Raymond. Protagonist Pictures are handling the film sales. The film’s list of producers includes Braven Films’ Frida Torresblanco, Off the Pier Productions’ Jeff Elliott, Under the Influence Productions’ Ryan Hawke, and King Bee Productions’ Nivola. Satan is Real will have three executive producers- Braven Films’ Giovanna Randall and Eric Laufer, and Blumhouse’ Jason Blum.

In their interview with Variety, Hawke and Nivola asserted that they would achieve “blood harmony” during their performances. The term “blood harmony” can be achieved when family members sing at unison. The common genetic link permits them to share an identical tone in all their voices. According to Hawke, Louvin’s music is a vital expression to them. The music is both beautiful and violent-exactly what it should be. The music is electric and aggressive and can also be described as strange. The Louvin music cannot be described as Brooklyn folk rock. It is not a cool guy music zone but hillbilly gospel music.

Although the two Louvin brothers are related, the two had completely different personalities. Charlie Louvin was an honest person and described himself as a Christian. He also sang in church. His brother, Ira Louvin, seemingly had the devil inside him. Ira was known to smash his mandolin onstage and reduce the instrument to splinters. He created trouble wherever he went. The brothers could be famous for super smooth harmonies, but the personal lives of the two could only be described as stormy. Nivola was clear about the direction in which the film will be made. In his interview, he said that the film in empirically a tragic one, but it should be injected with wit.