The Testament of Ann Lee: Amanda Seyfried Shines in Mona Fastvold’s Venice Golden Lion Contender

Director Mona Fastvold arrives at the Venice Film Festival with her latest work, The Testament of Ann Lee, a Golden Lion contender starring Amanda Seyfried as the 18th-century religious leader and founder of the Shaker movement.

Fastvold explained that her interest in Ann Lee’s story was shaped by the leader’s unique style of guidance, which resonated with her own approach to filmmaking: “I’m always trying to create a culture on set that is nurturing, empathetic, and equal. Ann Lee’s way of leading with kindness and inclusivity really spoke to me.”

The director highlighted the importance of telling stories about women who shaped history, noting that cinema has often been dominated by male icons: “We’ve seen countless films about men, but very few about women like Ann Lee. Apart from Jeanne d’Arc, their stories are largely missing.”

Born in Manchester in 1736, Ann Lee became a charismatic figure for her ecstatic worship style, which involved singing and dancing, earning the movement the name “Shakers.” Persecuted in England, she emigrated to America in 1774 with a small group of followers to continue her mission of spreading Shaker beliefs.

Amanda Seyfried praised Fastvold’s leadership and the community-driven atmosphere on set: “It felt almost like being part of the Shaker movement itself. Everyone had a role, and everyone felt equal. That sense of support allowed me to take on the challenges of the role, from mastering the accent to performing the music.”

The film is the latest collaboration between Fastvold and her partner Brady Corbet, who co-wrote the screenplay and was celebrated in Venice last year with his Oscar-winning feature The Brutalist. Seyfried, Fastvold, and Corbet were joined by choreographer Celia Rowlson-Hall and composer Daniel Blumberg, also an Oscar winner for The Brutalist. Blumberg revealed that the score draws heavily on authentic Shaker hymns, adapted into the film’s evocative musical landscape.

The Testament of Ann Lee is produced by Andrew Morrison (Kaplan Morrison), Joshua Horsfield (Intake Films), and Viktória Petrányi (Proton Cinema). Charades is handling international sales, while CAA Media Finance oversees North America.

With its mix of history, music, and feminist storytelling, the film positions itself as one of the most compelling entries at this year’s Venice Film Festival.