US EditionAmanda Seyfried Hides the Tiniest Knit Shorts Set Under a Giant Blazer in Venice
Amanda Seyfried portrays Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, expressing the founder's passion and grief through song for the first time on screen since Mamma Mia 2.
- Amanda Seyfried headlines Mona Fastvold's The Testament of Ann Lee, premiering in Competition at the Venice Film Festival on Sep. 1, 2025, portraying Ann Lee and singing on screen for the first time since Mamma Mia 2.
- Born in Manchester, England in 1736, Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, was second eldest of eight children and emigrated to the U.S. in 1776, enduring personal tragedies while establishing a utopian community known for sexual equality and utilitarian design.
- The film uses adapted Shaker hymns composed by Daniel Blumberg with choreography by Celia Rowlson Hall, and Amanda Seyfried rehearsed the birthing song repeatedly to capture raw passion and grief.
- Reviews noted the film's festival positioning, highlighting Amanda Seyfried's striking new side and the Venice Film Festival slot boosting visibility for Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet.
- By focusing on Ann Lee, the film underscores women's religious labor, tracing a simple trajectory of their contributions and highlighting Shakers' celibacy, frenzied singing, sexual equality, and decline to just three members.
15 Articles
15 Articles
The Silver Lion of the Best Performance was awarded last year to The Brutalist, co-scenaded by Mona Fastvold and her companion to the city, filmmaker Brady Corbet. I would not be surprised, on Saturday, if the jury of the official competition, chaired by Alexander Payne, presented this time the award of the production to Mona Fastvold, for The Testament of Ann Lee, whom she again staged with Corbet.
Mona Fastvold directs Amanda Seyfried in the biopic dedicated to the religious leader who founded her Church in the 18th century.
The premiere of 'The Testament of Ann Lee', the Rock with 'The smashing machine' (ANSA)
Mona Fastvold, screenwriter for 'The brutalist', directs a film that extols the communist utopia of the pioneer starring Amanda Seyfried and that was received with cheers and booingEverything about the Venice Festival - Jude Law becomes Putin to tell how politics has become something “terrifying” Last year, the Venice Festival was paralyzed after the screening of The Brutalist. Although it was Brady Corbet's third film — the other two had also a…
This Monday afternoon in Competition, the Norwegian filmmaker confused with a biography in music of the founder, in the 18th century, of a religious movement. A poser film co-written with her companion Brady Corbet. ...
‘The Testament Of Ann Lee’ Review: Amanda Seyfried Is The Second Coming In Mona Fastvold’s Divisive Folk Musical – Venice Film Festival
‘The Testament Of Ann Lee’ review: Amanda Seyfried is the second coming in Mona Fastvold’s warm and wryly witty folk musical – Venice Film Festival
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
