Stay Prayed Up

U.S., 74m, DCP

Showtimes & Tickets

Screened June 17–23, 2022

A spirited celebration of 83-year-old Lena Mae Perry and her legendary North Carolina gospel group, The Branchettes. The film documents The Branchettes as they record their first, fully live album. Through shared prayer, laughter, hardship, and praise, this “church gospel noisy crew” demonstrates that music, like faith, ain’t nothing without some fire inside. A Greenwich Entertainment release

Official Selection: Telluride Film Festival, DOC NYC, Virginia Film Festival

A film by D.L. Anderson Matthew Durning

The power of gospel music comes alive here, and the doc’s subjects, the practitioners of this fervent form, keep it engaging.”

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter

This is an effort of integrity and good will, and packs in a lot of spirited music that more or less sells itself.”

Glenn Kenny, The New York Times