SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Filming has begun for a movie about interracial business partners who operated in Savannah in the early 1900s.

Production of the film, called "Savannah," began this week. It stars Jim Caviezel as Ward Allen, who developed a partnership and friendship with a freed slave named Christmas Moultrie.

The two established a hunting and fishing business.

Annette Haywood-Carter wrote the script and is directing the film, which also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Moultrie.

Caviezel is best known for playing Christ in "Passion of the Christ." Others in the cast include Bradley Whitford, Jaimie Alexander, Jack McBrayer and Hal Holbrook.