GOLDA opens August 25
This has been a great year for thought-provoking biopics like CHEVALIER, AIR, and OPPENHEIMER, with many more on the horizon. One of those highly anticipated biographical dramas, GOLDA, will soon bring to the big screen the thrilling and controversial story of the first female head of state in modern Middle Eastern history, with an Academy Award® winner standing in for the historical figure.
Below, we will not only break down what audiences can expect from the movie when it opens in AMC Theatres locations nationwide, but also background information on former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, whose story is front and center throughout one of the big movies coming out in August.
Helen Mirren As Golda Meir
Helen Mirren is no stranger to the world of biographical dramas, as she famously played Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears’ 2006 biopic THE QUEEN, in which the decorated actress played the late monarch in the days following the 1997 death of her former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana. Though she won’t be playing a member of the royal family in GOLDA, she will be portraying a political figure of great cultural and historical significance, Golda Meir.
The fearless, courageous and controversial former Israeli head of state is just one of the numerous historical figures set to appear in the upcoming picture, as Liev Schreiber will be taking on the role of former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Several other Israeli officials from the time of the Yom Kippur War of 1973 will be portrayed by the likes of Rami Heuberger, Ohad Knoller, Lior Ashkenazi and several others.
The Iron Lady Of Israel
There may be a portion of the movie-going population not familiar with Golda Meir, a figure the BBC once described as the “Iron Lady of Israeli Politics” during the outlet’s coverage of Israel’s 50th anniversary of becoming an independent nation in 1948. Interestingly enough, Meir was given the moniker years before Margaret Thatcher was called the “Iron Lady” after becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979.
Meir, who was the fourth Prime Minister in Israel’s history, was the first and only female to hold the post. In the BBC article about the life and career of the former world leader born in present-day Ukraine, she was called formidable and was said to have worn the stresses of her life on her face. Though she came to power in Israel during a time of relative peace in the region, her administration was faced with a major crisis, one at the center of GOLDA.
A Leader Tested By War
When the film opens in theatres, it will take audiences to one of the most consequential periods in Israel’s history: the Yom Kippur War of 1973. This 19-day military conflict, which could have resulted in the utter destruction of the Israeli state, was kicked off when a coalition force led by Egypt and Syria began to attack the young nation and served as a major test for the hardened leader.
Not only will the movie focus heavily on the brief war and the effect the death of thousands of her countrymen had on her, it will also dive into the complex relationship she shared with Henry Kissinger, one of the most powerful political figures in the United States and the world at the time.
Guy Nattiv Directs
Helen Mirren isn’t the only Oscar® winner involved with GOLDA, as its director, Guy Nattiv, has taken home a little golden statue of his own. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Nattiv received a great deal of recognition for his 2018 drama, SKIN, which took home the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Interestingly enough, he released a feature-length film with the same title that year, though the two movies are not related. His other works include MAGIC MEN, MABUL, STRANGERS and OFFSIDE.
It should also be noted that GOLDA was written by Nicholas Martin, who previously wrote FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, a biographical drama starring Meryl Streep, in addition to TV series like “Midsomer Murders,” “The Bill” and “Big Bad World,” to name a few.
Watch The Trailer
Bleecker Street released the first trailer in July 2023, a tense, unnerving and dramatic two-and-a-half-minute compilation of scenes from the upcoming movie. Front and center throughout much of the footage is Mirren’s titular character, who is tough, defiant and unwilling to allow her country and people to be wiped out by the foreign coalition.
The trailer also teases the stress inflicted on the Israeli leader during the war, and the impact of the military conflict can be felt with each line of dialogue and pull from a cigarette by Mirren’s character. War, politics and an unflinching spirit are on display.
GOLDA looks to be a movie you won’t want to miss when it opens at AMC Theatres locations nationwide. You can already purchase tickets for the new movie if you want to get ahead of the crowd.
GOLDA opens August 25
