Mirren later said that Lipman had a point.
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I can tell it from my point of view as a director.
We spoke for four hours.
Guy Nattiv, Helen MirrenAndreas Rentz/Getty Images
She totally got everything, every nook and cranny, everything in this character.
Theres no doubt for me and thats why I was so surprised to see this reaction.
Helen said something very smart.
She said, Okay, so lets say only Jews can play Jews.
What about Jews not portraying Jews?
Is this not allowed anymore?
So its like limiting us in such a way and Israeli and Jewish actors have no limitations.
it’s possible for you to see Israeli actors in international shows.
And so for me as a Jewish Israeli director, I had no problem.
Lets say tomorrow there is a movie about Jesus Christ.
Whos gonna play him a Jew, or another Jew?
Well, it wont be me, Mirren shot back to more laughter.
Deadline unveiled a first teaser last week.
Nattiv said he expected the film to spark discussion around her legacy in Israel.
As an Israeli, I grew up with the knowledge that Golda is a complicated character.
This [the Yom Kippur War] is the Vietnam of Israel… Every soldier that dies, Golda takes it to her heart, he said.
Golda is not a super clean character in this movie.
She has her faults, she did mistakes and she took responsibility, which leaders are not doing today.
And eventually, she resigned.
Im willing to start a discussion in Israel…
I cant wait for that.
Mirren said she had developed a deep admiration and kind of love for Meir through the role.
She was extraordinarily brave and with a commitment to Israel that was total, she said.
