Amanda Seyfried Transforms Into a Devotional Sect Leader for ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’
‘The Brutalist’ director Mona Fastvold returns with a rapturous exploration of spiritual utopia and gender equality.
Summary
- Mona Fastvold directed the historical musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee, co-written with Brady Corbet, which follows the true story of the woman who founded the Shakers in the 18th century
- Amanda Seyfried stars as Ann Lee, leading an ensemble cast that includes Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, and Christopher Abbott, with the film exploring themes of social equality and spiritual ecstasy
- The film features original music by Academy Award winner Daniel Blumberg and choreography by Celia Rowlson-Hall, with a wide theatrical expansion scheduled for January 23
Following the critical acclaim of The Brutalist, director Mona Fastvold is set to unveil her latest cinematic endeavor, The Testament of Ann Lee.
This historical drama explores the extraordinary true legend of the woman who founded the Shakers, a devotional sect defined by its radical pursuit of social and gender equality. Academy Award nominee Amanda Seyfried takes on the role of the irrepressible leader, capturing the intense spiritual ecstasy and personal agony involved in building a communal utopia.
The production reunites several key collaborators from Fastvold’s previous work. The screenplay was co-written by Brady Corbet, while the film’s auditory landscape is shaped by Academy Award winner Daniel Blumberg, who provided original songs and a score. Adding a physical dimension to the narrative, Celia Rowlson-Hall choreographed more than a dozen traditional Shaker hymns, reimagining them as rapturous movements.
The ensemble cast features a sophisticated lineup including Thomasin Mckenzie, Lewis Pullman, and Christopher Abbott. This project promises to be a visually and sonically arresting portrait of a woman who challenged the social structures of her time.
Watch the trailer above. The Testament of Ann Lee hits theaters January 23.
