The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast The Testament of Ann Lee with Mona Fastvold and Darius Marder (Ep. 595)
Jan 5, 2026
Mona Fastvold, the talented director behind The Testament of Ann Lee, dives into her creative process with fellow filmmaker Darius Marder. They explore how her background in movement influenced the film's choreography, discussing the emotional depth behind the barn burning scene. Mona emphasizes the importance of portraying authentic womanhood, touching on themes of trauma and leadership through Ann Lee's journey. The conversation also highlights the challenges of historical accuracy and the parallels between Shaker traditions and the filmmaking process.
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From Rave To Ritual
- The Shaker movement evolved from wild, improvisational dancing into precise, choreographed form over time.
- Mona Fastvold found this formalization arc compelling as a cinematic throughline.
Committed Four Days To Birth Scenes
- Mona shot a four-day birth sequence within a 34-day production schedule to fully inhabit Ann Lee's maternal journey.
- She used prosthetics, real babies, and explicit physical detail to empathize with Lee's turn to celibacy.
Make Strange Rituals Understandable
- Use movement, camera choreography, and sound together to make unfamiliar practices feel seductive and intelligible.
- Design each element to envelop the audience so they can emotionally enter a strange cultural ritual.