Indie Filmmaking Duo Fastvold and Corbet Dominate Venice Film Festival

Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet, an acclaimed indie filmmaking duo, have established a strong presence at the Venice Film Festival over the past several years. Their 10-year-old daughter, Ada, has attended an impressive 7 editions of the festival, underscoring the family's deep connection to the event.

In the past, Fastvold and Corbet have debuted 4 of their 6 films at the Lido, including their most recent work, the epic "The Brutalist," which went on to receive widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards, including 3 Oscars, 4 BAFTAs, and 3 Golden Globes.

This year, Fastvold is taking the director's chair with her latest project, "The Testament of Ann Lee," a musical drama that offers a speculative retelling of the life of the founder of the Shaker religious movement. The film, which stars Amanda Seyfried in the title role, has been a passion project for Fastvold, who was initially met with "zero interest" from the industry due to the film's unconventional nature.

Despite the challenges, Fastvold persevered, driven by her fascination with the Shakers' collaborative spirit and their pursuit of perfection in their craftsmanship. The film's journey mirrors that of "The Brutalist," which also faced a lengthy and difficult development process before ultimately achieving critical acclaim.

As Fastvold and Corbet continue to push the boundaries of independent filmmaking, their daughter Ada has grown up alongside their artistic endeavors, often appearing as an extra in their films and attending the prestigious Venice premieres. The family's deep connection to the festival and their unwavering commitment to their craft serve as a testament to their passion and dedication to the art of storytelling.