Yahoo Movies Helen Mirren addresses Golda casting controversy
Helen Mirren has addressed the controversy surrounding her casting as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir.
Criticism over the Oscar winner taking the role in Golda stemmed from the fact that Mirren herself isn't Jewish, whereas Meir, who was Israel's Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974, was.
Addressing the backlash, while speaking to the Radio Times, Mirren said that the "the whole issue of casting has exploded out of the water fairly recently".
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Continuing, Mirren revealed that she offered to step away from the project, but director Guy Nattiv was adamant she should take the part.
"I’ve had other Jewish roles [in Woman in Gold and The Debt], but not an uber-Jewish role like Golda Meir," Mirren said. "I did tell Guy 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."
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In a previous interview before the film's release, Mirren said: "I think this discussion absolutely has to be had, because it is in the context of playing a very high-profile, highly committed Israeli Jewish woman.”
David Baddiel and Dame Maureen Lipman were amongst those who raised concerns about the casting, though the latter did add that "Dame Helen will be marvellous".
Golda premiered at 2023's Berlin International Film Festival. Liev Schreiber co-stars as US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, while Camille Cottin, Ellie Piercy (Black Mirror), Lior Ashkenzi and Rami Heueberger (Schindler's List) also appear in the film.
Golda is in UK cinemas now.
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