Helen Mirren poses for photographers at the premiere of the film ‘Golda’ during the Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany | Photo credit: Joel C. Ryan
For Helen Mirren, playing Golda Meir, Israel’s only female prime minister, was not unlike playing a British monarch.
“In a weird way, it was like playing Elizabeth I of England, in that sense — not because she had that ritual or anything — but her total commitment to her country,” he said. English actor, who won an Oscar and said. BAFTA Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film “The Queen”.
“Golda,” which premiered Monday at the Berlin Film Festival, focuses on Mayer’s leadership during the October 1973 Yom Kippur War between Israel and a coalition of Arab states.
“It’s not a biopic, it’s not his whole life, it’s just a small part where he’s challenged the most,” Mirren said.
That year, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 6, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, threatening to overwhelm the country. Israel launched a massive retaliation before the cease-fire.
Marine is nearly unrecognizable thanks to prosthetics and makeup procedures that recreated the Israeli leader’s nicotine-stained fingers and swollen ankles.
Throughout the film, the chain-smoking leader, who is also secretly being treated for lymphoma, is overcome with grief as the gravity of Israel’s losses weighs on her, highlighted by director Guy Natio. wanted
“As an Israeli, I grew up knowing that Golda is a complex character,” Nativ said, adding that he hopes his film will help Israelis see the mayor as a real flesh-and-blood person. Will help.
Natio also explained his decision to cast Mirin even though she is not Jewish, saying that in addition to being a great actor, she feels like a member of his family. “For me, apart from the fact that I like Helen… I found her to be very authentic.”
