A biographical film depicting the life of Golda Meir, the former Israeli prime minister who led the nation during the Yom Kippur War, is scheduled to be released just a month before the 50th anniversary of the conflict.
Titled "Golda" and directed by Israeli filmmaker Guy Nativ, who won an Oscar, the film stars Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren in the lead role. It is set against the backdrop of the three-week war, which caught Israel off guard with a surprise attack by Egypt, Syria, and their allies on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. The movie will primarily explore Meir's decision-making during the war, her complex relationship with U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (portrayed by Liev Schreiber), and her global legacy.
Golda Meir, the first and thus far only female prime minister of Israel, was born in Kyiv and raised in Milwaukee before immigrating to Israel. She served as prime minister from 1969 to 1974. While she has been revered by American Jews, her reputation in Israel, particularly regarding her actions before and during the Yom Kippur War, remains more contentious. She resigned as prime minister a few months after the war's conclusion and passed away in 1978.
Aside from Mirren and Schreiber, the film features Israeli actors Lior Ashkenazi as IDF Chief of Staff David "Dado" Elazar and Rami Heuberger as Defense Minister Moshe Dayan.
"Golda" made its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February and will open the Jerusalem Film Festival in July. The latter event will take place at Sultan's Pool, an open-air amphitheater located directly beneath the walls of Jerusalem's Old City.
Mirren's portrayal of Golda Meir has already received critical acclaim, as she underwent extensive makeup and prosthetics to resemble the former prime minister. The casting of Mirren, who is neither Jewish nor Israeli, sparked some scrutiny.