Amanda Seyfried revealed a shocking confession during her interview with Reuters, stating that prior to portraying Ann Lee, the 18th-century visionary behind the Shaker movement, in "The Testament of Ann Lee," she knew little about her. The film, set to premiere on Christmas Day, follows the story of a woman who led a Christian movement known for its celibacy and ecstatic worship, aimed at shaking off evil.
"I was astounded to discover that I hadn't learned about her in my own American history classes," Seyfried, who also starred in "Mamma Mia!," shared. "This woman was the leader of the Shaker movement."
Directed by Mona Fastvold, the film delves into Ann Lee's quest to establish a utopian society where the Shakers worshipped through song and dance, drawing inspiration from real-life events in American history. Alongside Seyfried, the film stars Lewis Pullman as William Lee, Ann's brother; Christopher Abbott as Abraham Standerin, Ann's husband; and Thomasin McKenzie as Mary Partington, a follower and friend of Ann.
The film's musical elements play a pivotal role in the story, as the Shakers used song and dance to worship God and advocate for equity. For Seyfried, realizing that her singing for the role of Ann went beyond mere performance was a game-changer. "I'm singing to be alive. I'm not singing to sound good or perform. It's like oxygen. It definitely shifted my perspective on what it means," the "Dear John" actor shared. "It's a musical, but not in the way we know them."
