‘A Little Prayer’ to debut in theaters nationwide, highlighting UNCSA alumni onscreen and behind the camera

“A Little Prayer,” written and directed by UNCSA alumnus and Winston-Salem native Angus MacLachlan (H.S. Visual Arts ’76, B.F.A. Drama ’80) and produced by School of Filmmaking Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies Lauren Vilchik, will be released by Music Box Films in theaters nationwide on Aug 29. The film, which received glowing critical reviews when it premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, features numerous UNCSA alumni, faculty and students in cast and crew roles.

A special preview screening will take place at a/perture cinema in Winston-Salem on Aug. 28 followed by a Q&A with MacLachlan; additional screenings and Q&As take place Aug. 29 –Sept.1.

The cast of “A Little Prayer” includes School of Drama alumni Anna Camp (B.F.A. ’04), Celia Weston (’73) and Steve Coulter (B.F.A. ’81). Several alumni also filled crew positions and many who were students contributed on set throughout the 19-day shoot in June 2022.

In a recent review, The New Yorker described “A Little Prayer” as “quietly perceptive,” writing that it is “spare yet brisk, and it unfolds with a graceful, almost musical sense of modulation: Camp and Weston, both veterans of MacLachlan’s work, strike bracing high notes of acerbic wit.”

Set and filmed in Winston-Salem, “A Little Prayer” is a powerful character-driven drama exploring family, generational conflict and the boundaries of personal responsibility. The story centers on Bill, played by David Strathairn, a Vietnam veteran trying to hold his family together as his adult children face deeply personal challenges. As tensions rise and boundaries blur, Bill must confront the limits of love, control and patriarchal protection.

“It is especially meaningful to see ‘A Little Prayer’ reach audiences here in Winston-Salem, where so many of our alumni and students helped bring it to life,” said Vilchik. “This project highlights the impact of a UNCSA education, showcasing the talent of our alumni on screen and behind the camera while also creating valuable opportunities for current students to learn alongside them.”

MacLachlan emphasized the significance of presenting the film locally. “Of course, it means a lot to me to have the film seen by Winston-Salem,” he said. “It takes place here, it was filmed here, and it is my home. The terrain, the extras, the houses, the Moravian stars in the neighborhood we shot in, Reynolda House, Piedmont Sheet Metal, all of it added to the story.”

He also reflected on the UNCSA alumni who were central to the production. “For the three UNCSA alums in the cast, Celia, Steve and Anna, I love them. They have all been in many of my films and seem to get my work,” MacLachlan said. “I was very happy with the many recent film school graduates and, then current students, who I saw learning on the job.”

MacLachlan credited the school for shaping his work as an artist. “The school helped shape me as an artist, certainly,” he said.

On the broader landscape of filmmaking, MacLachlan underscored both the challenges and his hopes for the film’s impact. “The state of independent film is in crisis. At least we got this one made,” he said. “I hope people will be entertained, moved, laugh, and that the intended compassion for the characters and situations will resonate.”

Filmmaking alumnus Abraham Bengio (B.F.A. ’18) is the sales agent of "A Little Prayer." Former Filmmaking faculty Ramin Bahrani was the executive producer. Filmmaking alums Sofia Alvarez-Cabrera, Shannon Bartos, Taylor Barr, Ashley Binger, Annie Boardman, William Brickhouse, Joshua Campbell, Daniel Christie, Johnny Deffinbaugh, Daniel Ervin, Lana Farr, Cherise Honore, Aileen Imana Lassiter, Charlie Kallas, Alejandro Lucas-Fritts, Joseph Mohler, Maya Penna-Scheer, Mary Louise Renegar, Summer Sierra, Ansley Simmons, Courtney Smallwood, Jackie Smith, Ava Tennis, Benjamin Wanko and Grace Williamson filled a variety of crew roles for the project.

Screening details

“A Little Prayer” will screen at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 28, 29, 30 and Sept. 1 at a/perture cinema in Winston-Salem. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker or special guests as follows:

• Thursday, Aug. 28– Director/Writer Angus MacLachlan
• Friday, Aug. 29– Phil Archer, Reynolda Deputy Director
• Saturday, Aug. 30– Producer Lauren Vilchik
• Sunday, Sept. 1– Director/Writer Angus MacLachlan

Tickets and showtimes are available at aperturecinema.com.

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