Dame Helen Mirren looked nothing short of sensational as she attended the Golda premiere at the Picturehouse Central in London on Thursday evening.
The 77-year-old actress, who plays the lead role of Israel’s first female prime minister Golda Meir, cut a stylish figure in a black velvet suit.
The star paired her look with a crisp white blouse and a chic tie.
Highlighting her enviable figure, she opted for a pair of black heels and carried a black clutch in her hand.
Helen wore her blonde locks in a sleek, straight style and accessorized with gold hoop earrings.
Wow: Dame Helen Mirren looked nothing short of sensational as she attended the Golda premiere at Picturehouse Central in London on Thursday evening
Chic: The 77-year-old actress, who plays the lead role of Israel’s first female prime minister Golda Meir, cut a stylish figure in a black velvet suit
The 2023 biopic stars Dame Helen, who plays Israel’s first – and only – female prime minister, Golda Meir.
Director Guy Nattiv’s film is set during the 19-day Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Arab forces led by Egypt attacked Israel during the holiest time of the year.
The film depicts the controversial decisions the politician made at the height of the war, which resulted in her country suffering heavy losses in battle with several Arab states.
“Golda” was written by Nicholas Martin, who previously penned the quirky “Florence Foster Jenkins,” and is directed by Guy, who previously directed the Oscar-winning short “Skin.”
Dame Helen previously said of the role: “Golda Meir was a formidable, unyielding and powerful leader.” It is a huge challenge to portray her in the most difficult moment of her extraordinary life. I just hope I do her justice!’
Director Guy said: “I have been a long-time admirer of the great Helen Mirren.” She has brilliantly integrated the richness and complexity of the character of Golda Meir with her incredible talent, intelligence, depth and emotion incredible woman.”
However, Dame Helen, who was buried under layers of prosthetics for the film, was subjected to a barrage of abuse for taking on the role.
And Mirren says that despite having no off-screen ties to Judaism, the lead actress’ role has been met with “entirely justified” criticism from those who believe the role should have been given to a Jewish actress.
Role: Golda Meir (pictured) is portrayed by Helen in the new biography of her life
Gorgeous: The star combined her look with a crisp white blouse and a chic tie
Stylish: Highlighting her enviable figure, she opted for a pair of black heels and carried a black clutch in hand
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 that and go for a different direction If you want to decide… I will totally understand.”
Mirren spent two to three hours a day preparing to physically transform himself into the chain-smoking Meir as a 75-year-old.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” she said. “It was an adventure. I got so used to being this person during the day that when I took the makeup off and saw myself for who I am, I forgot that’s what I looked like.
“It’s the thing with acting – do I become her or does she become me?” There’s a photo the crew took of me and Golda and we’re wearing identical outfits. She turns to me and says something, and I am happy with a cigarette. It’s really powerful.’
Meir was born in Ukraine in 1898 before moving to the United States as a child. In 1969, she made history as Israel’s first female prime minister.
Powerful: Director Guy Nattiv’s film is set during the 19-day Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Arab forces led by Egypt attacked Israel during the holiest time of the year (pictured Golda Meir, seen on the day of her resignation)
In the film: Mirren prepared for two to three hours every day to physically transform herself into the chain-smoking Meir as a 75-year-old (pictured: Camille Cottin, left, and Helen as Golda Meir, right)
She soon sparked international controversy when she said: “There was no such thing as Palestinians.”
Meir faced intense criticism in Israel for failing to adequately prepare for the threat of war, despite receiving news that Syrian forces were massing for an attack.
After backlash for her handling of the war, Meir announced her resignation in 1974. She died in 1978 at the age of 80.
The film also features “Call My Agent!” Actress Camille Cottin as Meir’s personal assistant and Israeli Lior Ashkenazi as her chief of staff.
Golda hits cinemas across the UK on October 6th.