What is 'The Testament of Ann Lee' about?

'The Testament of Ann Lee' is a biopic about the founder of the Shaker religious movement, Ann Lee, who left 18th century England for a new life in America with her followers.

How did the cast of 'The Testament of Ann Lee' prepare for their roles?

The cast, including actress Viola Prettlejohn, had to learn challenging choreography and improvisational singing techniques to capture the unpredictable energy and religious fervor of the Shakers.

Why is 'The Testament of Ann Lee' generating so much buzz?

The film received a rousing 15-minute standing ovation at its premiere in Venice and has been submitted by the U.K. for the International Feature Film race at the upcoming Oscars.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Shaker Founder's Biopic Captivates Audiences Worldwide

Shaker Founder's Biopic Captivates Audiences Worldwide

15 Oct

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Summary

'The Testament of Ann Lee' receives 15-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival
Actress Viola Prettlejohn describes the film as a "multi-sensory experience"
Choreography and singing were challenging but transformative for the cast

Shaker Founder's Biopic Captivates Audiences Worldwide

The U.K. has submitted the film 'The Testament of Ann Lee' for the International Feature Film race at the upcoming Oscars. The biopic, directed by Mona Fastvold and starring Amanda Seyfried as the founder of the Shaker religious movement, has been generating significant buzz after receiving a 15-minute standing ovation at its premiere in Venice last month.

The film follows Ann Lee's journey from 18th century England to a new life in America with her growing band of Shaker believers. While not quite a musical, the movie features the Shakers' frenzied singing and dancing, which proved to be a challenging but transformative experience for the cast. Actress Viola Prettlejohn, who plays Lee's niece Nancy, describes the film as a "multi-sensory experience" that left her and her co-stars emotionally overwhelmed.