Become a Member
Life

'We need to talk about Jewface' says Dame Helen Mirren

The actor is starring in a new biopic about Golda Meir, and says she 'absolutely believes' in Israel

September 27, 2023 12:03
goldameir
7 min read

When I meet Dame Helen Mirren, looking splendidly regal in a purple dress, she’s sitting alongside Guy Nattiv, her Israeli director on her new movie Golda.

Of course, she’s playing Golda Meir, the “Iron Lady” of Israeli politics, a casting that’s attracted quite a bit of controversy. In the JC last year, actress Maureen Lipman criticised the decision to hand Mirren, who is not Jewish, the part. “I’m sure [Mirren] will be marvellous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela,” she told the JC’s John Nathan “You just couldn’t even go there.”

She added: “The Jewishness of the character is so integral.”

Mirren understands why there has been such a furore about this supposed act of 'Jewface': “I think the discussion has to be had and there are arguments on both sides.”