Amanda Seyfried Premieres Singing Role in 'The Testament of Ann Lee' at Venice Festival

Amanda Seyfried stars as Ann Lee, the 18th-century founder of the Shakers, in the historical drama musical film The Testament of Ann Lee, which premiered in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Seyfried described the singing experience for the film as uniquely challenging, involving unconventional vocalizations she referred to as "de-singing" or "anti-singing," meant to convey raw emotion rather than traditional melody. She emphasized the emotional difficulty of the process, particularly during the repeated recording of the birthing song "Human Treasures," which required her to release personal vulnerabilities to capture the passion and grief of her character. Despite the stress and discomfort of hearing herself sing in this nontraditional way, Seyfried expressed a deep love for singing and the way it enhances her acting. The film has been characterized as both a musical and a biopic, though Seyfried and others note it defies conventional definitions of either genre. Director Mona Fastvold supported Seyfried throughout the process, fostering an environment that helped her connect with the complex grief of Ann Lee.