Dame Helen Mirren has admitted criticism of her decision to play late Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir is “legitimate” after Bradley Cooper faced similar criticism for playing Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein.
The 78-year-old British actress, who stars in a glamorous new cover shoot for Dujour magazine’s Autumn Winter issue, plays the late Golda Meir, Israel’s only female prime minister to date.
And Mirren admits that the role of the leader, while she has no connection to religion off-screen, has drawn “quite reasonable” criticism from those who believe the role should have been given to a Jewish actress.
Her comments are followed by a mixed reaction to Gentile actor Cooper, who plays the legendary Bernstein with a large prosthetic nose in the upcoming biopic Maestro – a film he is also directing.
She told the Chron: “That was certainly a question I had before I took the role.” I said, “Look man I’m not Jewish and if you think about it and you’re looking for a different direction want to decide … I will absolutely understand that.”
Opening: Dame Helen Mirren has spoken about her new role as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir and the inevitable backlash she has suffered for portraying the political leader despite not being Jewish
Controversial: Mirren has faced a barrage of abuse for starring as Israel’s only female leader in upcoming biopic Golda (pictured in the film).
Let’s talk: Mirren spoke to the Chron about her latest role while attending a glamorous new cover shoot for Dujour magazine’s Autumn Winter issue
The film follows Meir during the 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in October 1973 – five years before she died of lung cancer at the age of 80.
And Mirren’s engagement gives her another opportunity to play a prominent female leader who has previously portrayed British monarchs Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II.
“It’s an incredible challenge to play someone who was alive and well known.” she said.
“Women in positions of influence are rare in history.” There aren’t many of them. I think they must be twice as good as any other man – or even ten times. It’s absolute, total commitment.
“Golda had it. Catherine the Great had it. Elizabeth, I had it. Elizabeth II did the same. There is no casualness in their approach.”
Mirren prepared for two to three hours a day to physically transform into the chain-smoking Meir at the age of 75.
“I’ve never done anything like this,” she said. “It was an adventure. I got so used to being that person during the day that when I took off my makeup and saw myself for who I was, I forgot I looked like that.
“It’s the thing about acting – do I become her or does she become me?” There’s a photo the crew took of me and Golda wearing identical outfits. She turns to me and says something and I cheer with a cigarette. It’s really powerful.’
Open: Mirren admits that the role of the leader, although she has no connection to religion off-screen, has met with “completely legitimate” criticism
Backlash: Bradley Cooper faced similar criticism for wearing a prosthetic nose when he played Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein in the new film Maestro
Concern: “That was certainly a question I had before accepting the role,” she said of her involvement in the new film
Dodgy: The actress poses in one of several shots shot for the latest issue of Dujour
High glamour: Mirren is the cover star of Dujour magazine
A Twitter user who said they were “Palestinian and proud” wrote: “How sick to do a biography on criminal Golda Meir and yes no surprise Helen Mirren the racist rejoices that was purely distorted version of a disgusting person.”
Another wrote: “Helen Mirren making a film about Israel’s first woman prime minister is a slap in the face to the entire Palestinian people. They are literally celebrating the takeover of Palestine and the eviction of families from their homes, the murder of children and families!’ Tasteless film!’
One social media user said it was “hugely disappointing that Helen Mirren is volunteering for this role,” while another wrote, “More fascism to show how ‘wonderful’ Israel is.”
Honor: “It’s an incredible challenge to play someone who was alive and well known,” she said of her latest role
Meir was born in Ukraine in 1898 before moving to the United States as a child. In 1969, she made history as the first female Israeli prime minister.
She soon sparked international controversy when she said, “There was no such thing as Palestinians.”
Meir faced severe criticism in Israel for failing to prepare adequately for the threat of war, despite receiving news that Syrian forces were massing for an attack.
Following backlash for her handling of the war, Meir announced her resignation in 1974. She died in 1978 at the age of 80.
Dame Helen has been criticized in the past for saying she is a “believer” in Israel and has rejected calls for a boycott of the country.
The film also features “Call My Agent!” Actress Camille Cottin as Meir’s personal assistant and Israeli Lior Ashkenazi as her chief of staff.
Painstaking process: Mirren says she prepared for two to three hours a day to physically transform herself into the chain-smoking Golda at the age of 75
Pictured: Israel’s first female Prime Minister, Golda Meir, seen on the day of her resignation. Mirren described Meir as “a formidable, unyielding, and powerful leader”.