FRENCH ARTISTS AGAINST THE CURRENT, 1840 – 70
takes to film,” says Holland.“ We were there for hours. They basically did that one scene over and over, hours and hours. You could really appreciate how much work it takes and how playful this group was, but also so disciplined and rigorous with their process. I was just so impressed, and it really makes you appreciate what it takes to produce a story like this. They would flip in and out of character so quickly. It was just fun to sit on the bench in Shaker garb and just watch it unfold.”
SCREENINGS & MORE
Holland attended the Woodstock screening with a few colleagues from Hancock Shaker Village. It was so much fun for them to see their coworkers and friends on film. In one scene, Holland picked out a handful of village staff.“ I was very excited to see just how much of the shooting that they did at Hancock actually made it into the film,” says Holland, who pointed out the incredible dance sequence in the Round
Stone Barn. The film score was written by Daniel Blumberg( The Brutalist).
“ My biggest surprise was how impactful the music and the score and the sound came into play in the story,” says Holland.“ Even after the film, some of the melodies and tunes were stuck in my head. I was so curious to see how they were going to do that, and I wasn ' t sure how to imagine telling the story in a musical form, but that was surprising in the best way, how that sound and how the musical elements came into play with the whole film. It was gorgeous.”
Hancock Shaker Village also shared photos of gift drawings and other items from its collection, which appeared in many instances in the film, such as in the credits.“ All these little thoughtful pieces just made it so much richer,” says Holland.“ Every second of the film, they infused it with symbols and references to Shakers. That was a lovely surprise.”
After the Venice premiere, the film screened in festivals in Toronto, London, Zurich, Chicago, Hollywood, and elsewhere. Berkshire residents will have an opportunity to see The Testament of Ann Lee when it has a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day. Hancock Shaker Village is working on having a local party for the opening of the film and is planning a larger community screening next summer.
Seyfried is co-starring in another movie coming out the previous week. On December 19, The Housemaid starring her and Sydney Sweeney will be released.“ You can’ t fit either movie in a specific genre because it just doesn ' t apply,” says Seyfried.“ That movie is bonkers, but I also saw it and was immensely proud of the work. I had a lot of fun. I shot it after Ann Lee. It was so campy at times, but also hilarious, but also terrifying. It ' s a great adaptation of a book, and I ' m firmly behind it. I think it ' s just a coincidence that they happen to be both be coming out within a week of each other. These characters can’ t be more different. I’ m drawn to whatever is hard or different than the last character.” n
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FRENCH ARTISTS AGAINST THE CURRENT, 1840 – 70
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Charles Meryon, The Vampire( detail), 1853, etching on paper. The Clark, 1968.4
Holiday 2025 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 31