Last night at SIFF Cinema Uptown I saw The Testament of Ann Lee — and it was nothing short of revelatory. Dee Rees turns this 18th-century story into a living breathing fever dream about faith and rebellion. Danielle Deadwyler shines as Ann Lee, the visionary Shaker leader whose feminist theology challenged both the church and the state.
Claire Foy and Ariana DeBose bring fiery grace to the ensemble, and the music — a mix of folk, gospel, and percussion — feels like light breaking through fog. Rees balances devotion and defiance with precision. It’s part sermon, part song, part battle cry — and as the credits rolled I realized how rare it is to see a film this unafraid to question where belief ends and freedom begins.
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