Exclusive Behind the Scenes Look at Nathan Deming’s Wisconsin Indie ‘Winter Hymns’

Director Nathan Deming has shared an exclusive behind the scenes look into the creation of Winter Hymns with a series of stills from the shoot. As announced in August of 2025, Tara Mallen, who drew acclaim for her performance in the IFC breakout Sundance feature Ghostlight, signed on to star in Winter Hymns, an independent drama from writer/director Nathan Deming (Speaking in Tongues, the ongoing Year Project). Following the film’s production in Eau Claire last September, the drama is now in post-production, targeted a 2026 premiere on the festival circuit.

Described as “slightly experimental and deeply human,” Winter Hymns takes place over the course of a single day in a hospital consultation room. The story follows Dr. Linda Vobernik (Colleen Madden), a palliative care physician, and her medical assistant (played by newcomer Marcus Daniels), as they meet with families facing end-of-life decisions. Told through a series of raw, actor-driven conversations and performances, the film aims for emotional realism over plot or spectacle, in the vein of Mass or The Father.

Get an inside glimpse through these exclusive shots taken on set:

Tara Mallen appears in one of the film’s central patient sequences, joining a cast that includes Chiké Johnson (Veep, Law & Order: SVU) and others with strong Midwest roots: Ericka Kreutz (Better Call Saul, The Office), Flora Coker (American Fable), Jay Rattle (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Chicago Fire), Winter (Ashley C.) Williams (The Human Centipede, Julia), and longtime “Wisconsin acting royalty” Sarah Day and Paul Bentzen.

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