Crazy in Alabama marks the directorial debut of Antonio Banderas, after acting in 51 movies. It is a poignant, stirring comedy-drama that intertwines two unique stories against the backdrop of glamorous Hollywood and the small town life in Alabama.

Synopsis

Between a touch of craziness and sincere emotions, amidst anti-racial demonstrations in Alabama and the glamour of Hollywood, Lucille and Peejoe will both discover the price of freedom.

Antonio Banderas, Director (who grew up in Spain under Franco)

"I have always been concerned about freedom and all aspects of freedom. This movie has all these elements on very different levels. It gave me the opportunity to touch every one of them. It doesn't matter whether the story takes place in the South, in Russia, in Spain or in South Africa - freedom means the same thing everywhere on earth."

Mark Childress, Screenplay and novel

"People have often asked me why I combined humor and drama in the same book. But it's the tragedy that happens in the civil rights story that kicks the comedy and gives it depth."

Melanie Griffith (Aunt Lucille)

Griffith had read "Crazy in Alabama" when it was published in 1993 and immediately knew that Lucille was a character she wanted to play.
"Lucille really is an Everywoman. She's any woman who's been abused at home or who has been kept down and not allowed to pursue her goals. She has a past that she desperately wants to change, and she also wants a chance to follow her dream which, really, everyone should be allowed to do. So she goes after what she wants, but then she has to pay a price for that."

Griffith pursued the project for several years until Crazy in Alabama finally found a home at Green Moon Productions, the company jointly owned by Griffith and Banderas. It was Griffith who first showed the screenplay to Banderas. Banderas stayed up all night reading it and by morning decided that he had to direct it.

Antonio Banderas

"This movie is an eclectic collage. We start with black comedy; we go to pure comedy; we go to emotional moments - it's just like life. That's what I love about this script: it's a very strange story that is emotional and funny at the same time. "

About working with Melanie Griffith
"It was actually easier directing Melanie than I thought. And in fact, I think this experience has made our marriage even stronger. We got the opportunity at home each night to do our homework together, to watch dailies, to plan our next day's work. "

About working with David Morse
"You know, he is like Gary Cooper in 'High Noon' - he's the kind of strong, solid personality who, in his own quiet way, can handle huge things."

About working with Lucas Black
"Sixteen-year-old Lucas Black was so memorable in Sling Blade and the short-lived but fondly-remembered TV series American Gothic. He's a first-take actor. He was born for this. "

Principal photography on Crazy in Alabama was shot on location in the town of Houma, Louisiana, where production was centered for a month before cast and crew moved to Los Angeles. Numerous historic sites in the Houma area were utilized, including downtown Houma's Courthouse Square - refitted with appropriate 1960s signage and storefronts - as well as the nearby Magnolia and Ardoyne Plantation in Schriever, Louisiana. Several days were also spent filming in New Orleans' historic French Quarter.

Dialect coach Joy Ellison had the job of keeping everyone's accents regionally appropriate throughout the filming. Among the major cast members, only Lucas Black was actually a native of Alabama.