‘A feeling of ecstasy’: how Anne Hathaway and FKA twigs created the thunderous Mother Mary soundtrack

Key Points:

• Director David Lowery crafted the film "Mother Mary" by studying contemporary pop stars like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and FKA twigs, with the latter also acting in the film as a medium named Imogene.
• The film contrasts the intimate, emotional interactions between Mary (Anne Hathaway) and designer Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel) with Mary’s powerful stage presence as a pop diva commanding a devoted fanbase.
• The soundtrack, primarily written by Charli XCX and Jack Antonoff, complements the film’s themes, with FKA twigs contributing a key song that was initially cut from her own album sessions.
• Hathaway, new to recording for film, worked closely with Antonoff to develop the character’s vocal sound, focusing on the emotional delivery of lyrics rather than just their meaning.
• The film subtly portrays Mother Mary’s intense fandom and the toll of stardom, emphasizing her role as a protective figure for vulnerable fans while struggling with the pressures of her public persona.