Amanda seyfried stars in the captivating musical drama “The Testament of ann Lee,” which has secured distribution following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film received an enthusiastic 15-minute standing ovation, highlighting its impact on audiences. Searchlight Pictures has acquired the rights for North America and several international markets, with plans to release it theatrically in 2025.
Directed by Mona Fastvold, “The Testament of Ann Lee” centers around Seyfried’s portrayal of Ann Lee, a pivotal figure in the Shaker movement that emerged in the late 1700s. As one of the few prominent female spiritual leaders of her time, Lee and her followers were known for their unique worship practices that included joyful music and dance. The film also features notable performances from Thomasin McKenzie, lewis Pullman, Stacy Martin, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott, and Matthew Beard.
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Mona Fastvold expressed her personal connection to Ann LeeS story: “I grew up in a non-religious household; however, I found myself deeply moved by Ann Lee’s prophecies—no matter how unconventional they may seem. It’s not about sharing her beliefs but recognizing a profound yearning for justice and communal grace within her narrative.” She added that Lee’s radical quest for an ideal society resonates with the core artistic drive: a compelling desire to reshape our world.
A review from Diversity, penned by critic Guy Lodge, commended the film’s “visually stunning yet whimsically absurd musical sequences,” and also Seyfried’s performance. He noted that while it might sound overly conceptual at first glance, it possesses an earnest emotional depth largely due to Seyfried’s powerful portrayal—distinctly different from her roles in productions like “Mamma Mia!” or “Les Misérables,” yet perfectly showcasing her talents.
Fastvold co-wrote “The Testament of Ann Lee” with partner Brady Corbet; together they previously collaborated on “the Brutalist,” which was directed by corbet. That enterprising three-and-a-half-hour project was picked up by A24 after last year’s Venice Film Festival and garnered ten Oscar nominations alongside impressive box office earnings exceeding $50 million globally. Fastvold is also known for directing films such as 2014’s “The Sleepwalker” and 2020’s “the World to Come.”
during a press conference discussing their latest project,Fastvold and Corbet candidly addressed the hurdles they faced while securing funding for this independent film budgeted at just $10 million. They acknowledged that focusing on a lesser-known aspect of American history made it less appealing to potential investors.
“It was quite an achievement,” Corbet remarked about their fundraising efforts. ”As you can imagine, pitching ‘Shaker musical’ wasn’t exactly enticing.” Despite operating on a modest budget—where major studio films often cost five times more—Fastvold succeeded in creating grand set pieces and intricate musical numbers that vividly bring Ann Lee’s story to life on screen.
“I felt that Ann Lee deserved something monumental,” said Fastvold passionately. “How many narratives have we seen centered around male figures repeatedly? Isn’t it time we tell stories about remarkable women like this?”