Filmmaker Angus MacLachlan Gets Martin Scorsese's Blessing

Celebrated filmmaker Martin Scorsese has signed on as executive producer of the film "Abundant Acreage Available." It was written and directed by Winston-Salem's Angus MacLachlan, best known for "Junebug" and "Goodbye To All That." It stars Amy Ryan, from "The Wire" and "The Office," and was filmed in North Carolina.

The film is about a brother and sister who live and work on a tobacco farm in East Bend, North Carolina. Their father dies, and three strangers appear on the farm who lay their own claim on the land.    

MacLachlan approached Martin Scorsese last summer after filming was completed to see if he would like to be involved. Scorsese said yes, and that he would like to support the project and MacLachlan's career. He says this will help raise the profile of the movie ahead of festival season.

“It's really kind of like having the Pope's blessing, or the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. It's someone who I certainly respect a lot, and I think a lot of people respect as one of the best directors living putting their name on something. So obviously he must think there's some value to that.”

The film was made with a crew that pulled heavily from the area, and will include music from Jeffrey Dean Foster.