Helen Mirren has spoken out about her decision to portray Golda Meir, the former Prime Minister of Israel, in the 2023 biopic Golda, amid allegations of ‘Jewface’.
The veteran English actress, 78, faced backlash for taking on the role alongside Liev Schreiber and Camille Cottin because she is not Jewish.
Mirren told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday that, although she understands both points of view, she is proud of her work in the biographical drama.
‘I think the discussion has to be had, and there are arguments on both sides. I’ve been a Mossad agent [in the 2010 movie The Debt]. You don’t get much more Jewish than that!’ she said.
Wearing a prosthetic nose and grey wig to fit the part of the late Israeli PM, Mirren seems almost unrecognisable in the film.
‘I felt like her, honestly. You’re laying yourself open to profound criticism. You could blow it terribly,’ Helen said.
She continued by recollecting Meir’s tenure as Israel’s prime minister from 1969 to 1974 and said she drew from her experience to guarantee the authenticity of her performance.
‘It was the first time a woman had led a country. And I was absolutely excited and blown away. It was like a miracle. It was fantastic.
‘Playing the role, I had to investigate it and really dive into who Golda was, what the war was, and what the implications for Israel were.’
The actress, who was born in London, continued by saying that after accepting the idea that she was only giving an interpretation of Meir, playing her became simpler.
‘I can’t be as she is. She was best at being her. Of course, she was still alive. I’m an artist and doing a portrait. It’s my artistic understanding of this person. I think that relaxed me as well with Golda.’
In an interview with Radio Times, she pointed out that it’s not the first time she’s played a Jew and revealed she is convinced she has Jewish heritage somewhere down the line.
Discussing the controversial casting, she mused: ‘The whole issue of casting has exploded out of the water fairly recently.
‘I’ve had other Jewish roles [in Woman in Gold and The Debt], but not an uber-Jewish role like Golda Meir.
‘I did tell Guy Nattiv, the Israeli Jewish director, that I’m not Jewish, in case he thought I was. I said, “If that’s an issue, I’ll step away; no problem.” But he said, “No, it’s not an issue. I want you to play Golda.” And off we went.’
The British actress continued by saying that she believes she has Jewish heritage and has thought about getting a DNA test to confirm it. She was born in London to an English mother and a Russian immigrant father.
Individuals these days are far too sensitive. Her part was played, and the people who created the movie were glad to have her play that part.
It would have been quite challenging to portray the character of Golda since, in addition to her political opponents, Golda was a fierce fighter against those in her own nation who did not think a woman could ever hold such a position.
It would have required much study to depict Golda respectfully and to accurately capture the period of their lives.
Regardless of her ethnic background, no actor could have performed the character of Golda as wonderfully, respectfully, and carefully as Helen Mirren could.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 