The story of the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect is revealed in Director Mona Fastvold’s historical musical drama, The Testament of Ann Lee.

Based on real events, Fastvold’s film tells how in hopes of creating a utopian society in the 18th century, Lee — proclaimed as the female Christ by her followers — suffered persecution and rose from obscurity to forge the radical religious movement that would become the Shakers.

On December 7, after the DGA membership screening in New York, Fastvold discussed the making of The Testament of Ann Lee during a Q&A moderated by Director Darius Marder (Sound of Metal).

During the conversation, Fastvold spoke about the challenges of getting the film financed.

“Trying to pitch this story was impossible. I discovered this story and I felt that I had to make it quickly before somebody else does. I started working with Brady Corbet, my partner, and Andrew Morrison, our producing partner, on trying to put it together. I think we met with every single company, person, financier and everybody was like, ‘Well, sounds interesting, let us know when you make it.’ Luckily, we had some of our trusted partners who came in with a little bit, but there are so many collaborators on this film. I mean, you’ve seen the credits, it’s a lot of smaller checks, and just piece, by piece by, piece to get the financing together. Then we just took the number that we got and decided to somehow make it for that without changing the script at all. I wanted it to be epic. I wanted it to span her entire life. I wanted it to cross oceans. And so we did it.”

Fastvold’s other directorial credits include the feature films The Sleepwalker and The World to Come; and episodes of the mini-series The Crowded Room and Long Bright River. She has been a DGA member since 2022.