Shaker Drama 'The Testament of Ann Lee' Blends History and Movement

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"The Testament of Ann Lee" is a powerful historical drama that blends elements of musical and psychological portraiture to create a unique cinematic experience. Grounded in Shaker history, the film follows the rise of Ann Lee, the spiritual leader of the Shaker movement, as she emigrates to America with her followers to establish a communal society. Despite its epic scope, the film maintains an intimate and immersive quality, with characters expressing their beliefs through intricate choreography and original songs inspired by traditional Shaker hymns.

Why it matters

The film's deep engagement with Shaker history is not merely academic, but rather displays their past as shaped by daily work and the fragile structures of belief that hold their society together. By projecting the community's belief onto the figure of Ann Lee, the film explores how faith can become both a source of unity and a great burden, especially for the movement's leader.

The details

Directed by Mona Fastvold and co-written with her partner Brady Corbet, "The Testament of Ann Lee" was shot on 70mm film at the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The film features a 33-track soundtrack, including an original score and three original songs inspired by traditional Shaker hymns, as well as some of the most intricate choreography seen on screen in recent years. The musical sequences are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, with the dancing serving as a vehicle for the Shaker's religious ideology.

• The film will be screened at Loew Auditorium at the Hopkins Center for the Arts on February 20, 2026.

What’s next

The screening of "The Testament of Ann Lee" at Loew Auditorium will be followed by a discussion with Mary Ann Haagen, a Shaker scholar and current visiting scholar in the department of music, and curator at the Enfield Shaker Museum Michael O'Connor.