Written and directed by Max Korman, the drama film ‘Joy Will Prevail’ is set in Philadelphia in 1971. Legendary architect Louis I. Kahn is 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 and two longtime partners including landscape architect Harriet Pattison—each aware of the others.
When a young, idealistic father, Steve Korman, 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 and culminates in the final house Kahn ever designed, completed shortly before his sudden death.
‘Joy Will Prevail’ stars Griffin Dunne (as Louis I. Kahn), Ben Rosenfield (as Steve Korman), Molly Ephraim (as Toby Korman), Jennifer Beals (as Esther Kahn), Alexis Bledel (as Harriet Pattison) Jeremy Gabriel (as Robert Venturi), Zak Corrigan (as Richard Saul Wurman), Hannah Dunne (as Secretary), and Mike Spara (as Gabor).
Producers of ‘Joy Will Prevail’ include J. Andrew Greenblatt, Max Korman, Derek Dienner and Alex Peace, with executive producers Arturo Chavez, Scott Lambert, Kayvan Mashayekh and Christopher Rivera. Production companies are Backlight Film Company and Make Films.
The film’s cinematography is by Joshua Echevarria, the editing is by Sarah Flack, with music by Alex Weston.
Watch the trailer below:
The film had its world premiere at the Philadelphia Film Festival on October 21, 2026, with its international premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on November 7, 2026. There isn’t a release date mentioned yet, but once it is available, the information will be posted here.
For more details, visit the official website here.
Griffin Dunne is most known for After Hours, An American Werewolf in London and The French Dispatch. Ben Rosenfield is most known for Mickey and the Bear and Mrs. America. Molly Ephraim is most known for A League of Their Own and The Front Runner. Jennifer Beals is most known for Flashdance and The L Word. Alexis Bledel is most known for Gilmore Girls and The Handmaid’s Tale. Max Korman makes his feature directorial debut with this film.
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