Helen Mirren Gives a Nuanced Performance as Controversial Historical Figure Golda Meir in ‘Golda’

In Golda, Helen Mirren portrays controversial Israeli leader Golda Meir as neither hero nor villain, but as a complex leader who made difficult decisions under extraordinary circumstances.

A riveting thriller, Golda is a must-see for history buffs and fans of political dramas. Transporting audiences to the heart of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, it recounts a period marked by intense conflict and uncertainty for Israel. Over the course of 19 nail-biting days, Prime Minister Golda Meir, portrayed with gritty determination by Helen Mirren, finds herself at the epicenter of a crisis that threatens the very existence of her nation.

With the shadow of Israel's total annihilation looming, Meir must outmaneuver her doubtful cabinet and navigate a complex web of international relations, particularly with the enigmatic US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber). As the clock ticks down, Meir's unwavering leadership and deep compassion are put to the ultimate test, with millions of lives hanging in the balance. Golda is a story of resilience, strategy, and the heavy burden of leadership, leaving viewers to ponder the controversial legacy of one of the world's most formidable political figures.

On portraying such a complex and divisive figure on screen, Helen Mirren told BBC News:  "All I'm doing is playing Golda during the period of the Yom Kippur War. I'm not explaining her, rationalizing her, or reappraising her. I'm just playing a woman of that age dealing with that situation.”

Meanwhile, director Guy Nativ says that this film explores Meir's complicated legacy instead of simply hailing her as a hero: “I was raised with a narrative that we were stronger, more powerful, and that we won. Golda Meir was a hero. However, what I learned throughout my adult years is that it's not the case. It was a dreadful war; we lost almost 3000 soldiers. There was a big failure with a lot of units. Within this, I found Meir to be a fascinating character, very complicated. Aside from a TV movie in the 1980s, no one had tackled her character in such depth.”

Witness Helen Mirren delivers a powerhouse performance as Golda Meir in Golda, premiering exclusively on Lionsgate Play this March 8.