‘The Testaments’ opens series Mania, Chase Infiniti, Ann Dowd Attend

The wait is over: the world premiere of “The Testaments” took place at the French festival Series Mania.

The new show, produced by MGM Television and based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, will premiere on Disney+ in April. It tells the dramatic story of a young woman’s coming of age in Gilead.

It follows the privileged Agnes (“One Battle After Another” breakout Chase Infiniti) and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a newcomer and convert from beyond the borders of Gilead, as they navigate the halls of Aunt Lydia’s (Ann Dowd) elite preparatory school for future women.

Dowd, famous for her portrayal of everyone’s favorite villain, said of Aunt Lydia, “I love her. That’s our job as actors. The first rule is don’t judge. I don’t judge her, and she has become a very dear friend of mine. I got to know her, she got to know me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

She described reprising her role as “the great pleasure and the great joy, a privilege, everything.” “Imagine knowing the character all those years. How lucky can someone be?”

Lucy Halliday, also present at the party, was happy to be able to consult both the novel and the legendary series – which ended after six seasons.

“We had such strong source material ready, and [with Chase Infiniti] we’re both fans of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ We saw the show and read the books. Then we had Ann, Warren Littlefield, Bruce Miller and Elisabeth Moss [who exec produces]all involved in the creation of the show. We had so much to lean on.”

She recalled, “Bruce is so open and willing to have a conversation. He would actually sit down with you and…” [talk about] what the character should be, the ideas you had or just trying to know that his thoughts were your thoughts. That really created a beautiful environment where you felt, ‘Okay, there’s a responsibility entering this world that is so loved, but I feel reassured that these people have trusted me and given me the space to step into it.’ I felt, ‘We can do a good job. I really hope the audience thinks the same way.”

Chase Infiniti discussed the show’s iconic costumes.

“For all of us, because we wear different costumes on the show, this is your first piece of armor. All of our costumes are made to fit us perfectly, but they can be restrictive at times. It helped to understand the physicality of our roles.”

Creator Bruce Miller and producer Warren Littlefield were also in Lille..

“‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ was about people at the bottom of Gilead, and this shows women at the top of Gilead. But it also shows how for women the top and the bottom are very similar,” Miller told the audience.

“This is a story of awakening and rebellion among younger women in Gilead and those who grew up there. That is the expansion of the world.”

Despite the show’s darkness, it’s “critically important to have humanity,” Littlefield added.

“We live in a world that is a dark place, and hope comes from their strength and their resilience. Ann transitions from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ as Aunt Lydia – she knows that world. These young women are waking up in our season one, and they will come to fight it. Let’s hope they take it down.”

During the opening ceremony, general director Laurence Herszberg also welcomed the jury of the International Competition, led by Icelandic director Benedikt Erlingsson who presented “The Danish Woman” last year.

“When I came here, ‘The Danish Woman’ didn’t get any awards. It was a scandal! Now I’m here to get revenge. And by ‘revenge’ I mean I’ll make sure the best series wins,” he joked, along with Alice Braga, Hatik and Cécile de France.

But there was also a somber note, as one of the judges, Ida Panahandeh, was unable to attend Series Mania due to the ongoing war. She did send a message to the public.

“I am very happy to know that somewhere in the world there are people like you, people who strive to make this world a better place to live. You know, if I come out of this war alive, maybe I will make a series that tells the story of the bitter days and nights that my people face. People who have been crushed for decades under the weight of social or political discrimination and economic sanctions, and who now also live under fallen missiles, emancipated,” she said.

“Every time soldiers cross their country’s borders, artists are suddenly banned from leaving theirs. It’s a bitter irony, isn’t it? I wish all soldiers would stay within their own borders and rest. While, you know, all artists could cross borders freely, without a doubt, we would have a much better world.”

She added: “My dear friends, let us condemn war, any war, whether in Ukraine, Iran or Gaza. Let us condemn the brutal murder of children and civilians, regardless of the color of their skin or their eyes. And let us not undermine the promise of peace and democracy and become an excuse for the re-emergence of fascism.”

Herszberg noted: “In a world full of violence coming from all sides and divisions increasing, it is essential to remember the role of culture – as a source of guidance and enlightenment – ​​and the role of festivals as a place where we can come together when everything else is in flux.”

She called Series Mania an event that “gives a voice to artists and their work.”

“It is a week that promotes the exchange of perspectives and opinions, and allows artists to express themselves freely, regardless of their nationality. Here we do not judge by passport; we look at the works of the mind. We want to remind everyone of a truth that is often forgotten. Creative freedom is fragile, and wherever that freedom is threatened, artists are among the first victims.”

“To all these artists we would like to say one simple thing. Their works will always find a place in Series Mania. Because we know that culture is not a luxury reserved for peaceful times. It allows societies to weather storms without losing their soul. It is the thread that connects people and transcends borders, languages ​​and fears.”