Helen Mirren Honored in Jerusalem Film Festival for Portraying Golda Meir

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Jerusalem Film Festival’s opening ceremony on Thursday evening was a night of celebration and recognition as renowned actress Helen Mirren received a prestigious achievement award, as was reported in the Times of Israel.  Expressing her delight at being honored in the “wonderful city of Jerusalem,” Mirren’s recognition came just ahead of the Israeli premiere of “Golda,” a film in which she masterfully portrays the legendary former Prime Minister Golda Meir. The movie delves into Meir’s tumultuous experiences during the surprise Yom Kippur War in 1973, a critical period in Israeli history.

The TOI reported that the film’s director, Guy Nattiv, introduced Mirren with glowing praise, referring to her as a “true mensch” and expressing gratitude for her exceptional portrayal of Golda Meir. In her acceptance speech, the actress shared a personal connection with the region, recounting her time on a kibbutz in the Golan Heights shortly after the 1967 Six-Day War. Despite facing some dangerous moments amid the aftermath of war, Mirren fondly remembered the experience and the profound impact it had on her life, the report said.

The actress recounted her time on a kibbutz in the Golan Heights just after the 1967 Six-Day War, when there were still “a few shells going off in the grapevines,” the TOI report said.

“When they realized that was a bit too dangerous for this shiksa from London, they yanked me out of the grapevines and they put me in the kitchen,” she recalled.

“I turned around, and it was completely empty because everyone had gone down into the bomb shelter, leaving me right at the back of the kitchen doing all the washing up,” she humorously recalled, as was reported by the TOI. It was a moment that, at the time, seemed far removed from the idea of standing in the beautiful, historic, and magical city of Jerusalem to receive an award. Nevertheless, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her.

“Little did I think, at that moment, that I would be standing here in this beautiful, historic, magical, difficult, complex and wonderful city of Jerusalem,” she added. “And I thank you so very, very much for this award.”

Dedicating the award to her fellow actors worldwide, Mirren emphasized the inclusivity of her “tribe,” highlighting that they come from various corners of the globe, including Germany, Belgium, America, Palestine, Israel, and Africa. The TOI report said that her words resonated with the global nature of the film industry and the role it plays in uniting diverse cultures through storytelling.

Oliver Stone, the three-time Oscar-winning director, was also honored at the festival for his remarkable contributions to cinema. Lamenting the scorching heatwave enveloping Israel, Stone reminisced about his previous visit to Jerusalem and marveled at its continued growth and ambition, according to the TOI report.  He presented his latest documentary, “Nuclear Now,” along with screenings of some of his iconic classic movies.

In addition to Mirren and Stone, French filmmakers and brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne were also recognized with an achievement award, as was reported by the TOI.  Their film, “Tori and Lokita,” explores the lives of two young African refugees living in Belgium, tackling themes of immigration and social integration.

Addressing the audience at the opening ceremony, Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Helen Mirren’s stellar performance in “Golda” and commended the film’s ability to blend the personal and public aspects of history. The TOI reported that he acknowledged the film’s focus on the threat faced by Israel during the Yom Kippur War while honoring one of the nation’s historical leaders, Golda Meir. Unfortunately, his speech was intermittently interrupted by protesters chanting “democracy,” reflecting the ongoing protests against the government’s judicial overhaul in Israel.

Earlier in the day, at a press conference, Helen Mirren expressed her appreciation for the significant demonstrations taking place across Israel, the TOI reported.  She believed that these demonstrations might signify a pivotal moment in Israeli history, indicating the country’s willingness to engage in social and political change.

As Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Golda Meir continues to captivate audiences worldwide, it stands as a testament to the power of cinema in preserving and sharing the histories of iconic figures and the nations they served.