President Isaac Herzog and his wife and First Lady of Israel, Michal, rolled out the red carpet for Academy Award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren during her visit to Israel for the highly anticipated Jerusalem Film Festival.
The festival kicked off with the screening of the newly released film “Golda,” in which Dame Helen Mirren takes on the role of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Accompanying her was the film’s director, Guy Nattiv.
During their meeting, the President praised Dame Mirren’s portrayal of Golda Meir, remarking, “Golda was a fearless leader who made a big impact on our society. She’s a historical figure who shaped our country.”
Expressing her appreciation for the warm welcome, Dame Helen Mirren shared her thoughts, saying, “Playing Golda has been a career highlight for me. I was a young woman when she was in power, and seeing a woman lead a complex country like Israel was a game-changer. People often ask me about the similarities between the female leaders I’ve portrayed. The closest connection I see to Golda is Queen Elizabeth I, in terms of their unwavering dedication to their countries. They both had a special charm.”
The gathering of these prominent figures bridged the worlds of cinema and politics as the Jerusalem Film Festival kicked off with great enthusiasm.