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Revealed: First glimpse of Dame Helen Mirren as Golda Meir
Star calls Israel's only female PM 'a formidable, intransigent and powerful leader' and says 'it is a great challenge to portray her at the most difficult moment of her life.'
The first glimpse of Dame Helen Mirren as Israel’s only female Prime Minister Golda Meir has been revealed.
The Academy Award-winning will depict the politician in an upcoming biopic, Golda, as production started in London this week.
Speaking about the role, Mirren said: “Golda Meir was a formidable, intransigent and powerful leader.
“It is a great challenge to portray her at the most difficult moment of her extraordinary life. I only hope I do her justice!”
Guy Nattiv’s ‘Golda’, set during the Yom Kippur War, will also feature Camille Cottin, star of hit series Call My Agent, who will play Lou Kaddar, the former PM’s long-time personal assistant, and Rami Heuberger of Steven Spielberg epic Schlinder’s List, who will portray Minster of Defence Moshe Dayan.
Along with the rest of Israel, Meir and her all-male cabinet were taken by surprise by the attack on the eve of the holiday in 1973 by Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian forces.
The ensuing bloody conflict — chronicled in the recent acclaimed Israeli production “Valley of Tears” — shattered the nation’s growing sense of confidence at the time in an embattled region.
Speaking about her portrayal of the prime minister, Academy Award-winner Nattiv said: “I have long been an admirer of the great Helen Mirren
“She has melted so brilliantly into Golda Meir’s character with incredible talent, intelligence, depth and emotion, doing justice to the richness and complexity of this incredible woman”.
Lior Ashkenzi, one of Israel’s most prominent actors, will play Chief of Staff, David Elazar, with other cast members including Ellie Piercy (Black Mirror, The Dig), Ed Stoppard (Judy, Youth), Rotem Keinan, Dvir Benedek, Dominic Mafham, Ben Caplan, Kit Rakusen and Emma Davies.
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