“Demented Flashbacks,” Unfinished Music and a “Very Weird Movie”: Anne Hathaway Reveals New Details on A24’s ‘Mother Mary’

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Fresh insights are now available on the film “Mother Mary” by David Lowery, stemming from a recent cover story in Vogue that spotlights its Academy Award-winning lead actress, Anne Hathaway.

The film “A24” features Anne Hathaway in the lead role, portraying a pop star character reminiscent of a blend between Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. This artist abruptly quits her tour and subsequently seeks out an old friend and fashion designer, Michaela Coel, who played a significant part in shaping her public image. From interviews conducted by Maya Singer for Vogue, it appears that “Mother Mary” could be a demanding production for everyone involved, or at least “intense” according to Singer’s description of the nearly completed movie as “a very peculiar film.

The movie primarily revolves around the creation of an impressive dress, and a significant portion of the plot unfolds in a 13th-century barn where characters might have momentarily lost their sanity, as described by Singer. There are a few disquieting flashbacks and scenes showing Hathaway undergoing extreme challenges.

Upon first reading the script,” Hathaway noted, “it became clear to me that one cannot ‘act’ as Mother Mary. If I were fortunate enough to secure the role, I would need to transform myself into a medium that David could shape and mold.

In the movie production, the director compared his process to making ‘Apocalypse Now’, focusing on a crucial scene close to the end. At one point, Annie confessed, “I need to apologize, as I think what I’m about to express may cause you pain.” Michaela then comforted her by saying, “I love you, I trust you,” and they went through different emotional stages for approximately a week while filming that scene, according to Lowery.

I’ll admit, I was absolutely in awe of Anne Hathaway’s fearless performance during that dance scene in the barn. The sheer amount of physical prowess she had to master for this role—it wasn’t just us on set, it encompassed the entire crew and producers too. That first day was undeniably nerve-wracking, with a tiny voice of doubt whispering in my ear. But no one could have guessed until after the initial take. And then to continue, take after take? That takes an immense amount of courage and resilience—gallons and tons, you might say.

On that extraordinary day, choreographer Dani Vitale shared that the team, consisting of large German men, wept upon completion of Hathaway’s performance. “It was an unbelievable day,” she expressed, “Everyone was pushed to their limits. Yet, it brought us incredibly close together. It seems like David inadvertently created a bond so strong, it resembles a cult.

In this movie, filmed primarily in Cologne, Germany, you’ll find tunes penned by renowned musicians Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX. The talented ensemble also includes Coel, FKA twigs, Hunter Schafer, and Kaia Gerber. Interestingly, Anne Hathaway began filming the movie “Mother Mary” before any of the songs were finished, so she didn’t have a sense of the pop star persona she was portraying.

In an interview with Vogue, Hathaway admitted that she had to embrace being a novice during this role, which she considered her toughest career assignment yet. ‘The humility of admitting you’ll make mistakes every day and being okay with it,’ she said, ‘knowing you’re not bad, just a beginner.’ Adopting this mindset wasn’t easy; letting go of certain things was difficult, but necessary. It was tough, as transformative experiences often are.

Initially, she felt bewildered as she had to learn something because if she’d had it a year earlier, it would have deeply resonated within her and there would have been a unique process associated with it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option for her. However, in retrospect, she is thankful she couldn’t rush things as not being able to take control proved beneficial.

During a virtual conversation with Vogue, Charli XCX explained that she and Jack Antonoff drew inspiration from film footage to shape their collaborative work. “Anne’s dance movements were strikingly graphic, forceful yet jerky, with an enchanting yet unsettling quality. It was volatile and captivating, so Jack and I took that energy and contemplated it.

The Vogue article includes praises from Bradley Cooper, a friend and fellow Oscar winner of Anne Hathaway. Cooper expressed, “You can see how she treats everyone – it’s not just a select few – she’s so kind.” During the pandemic, he spent quality time with Hathaway and her husband Adam Shulman and added that she is “very present and grounded” as well as “remarkably intelligent.

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2025-07-07 22:24