Golda (film) explained

Director:Guy Nattiv
Music:Dascha Dauenhauer
Cinematography:Jasper Wolf
Editing:Arik Lahav-Leibovich
Runtime:100 minutes[1]
Language:English
Gross:$6 million[2] [3]

Golda is a 2023 biographical drama film directed by Guy Nattiv and written by Nicholas Martin. The film depicts the actions of Golda Meir, the 4th Prime Minister of Israel, during the Yom Kippur War. It stars Helen Mirren, Camille Cottin and Liev Schreiber.

It received its world premiere at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival on February 20, 2023. It was released in the United States by Bleecker Street and Shivhans Pictures on August 25, 2023, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland by Vertical Entertainment and MetFilm Distribution on October 6, 2023. The film received a Best Makeup and Hairstyling nomination at the 96th Academy Awards.

Plot

In October 1973, Mossad receives intelligence implying that Egypt and Syria are preparing to commence a military campaign against Israel, which it promptly relays to the Israeli prime minister, Golda Meir. Golda is dismissive of the intelligence, noting her inability to initiate a counter-plan without the support of her defense minister, Moshe Dayan, who too, is equally speculative.

On 6 October, the day of Yom Kippur, Golda's inner circle informs her that Egypt has amassed a large force opposite the Suez Canal, concluding that hostilities would begin by sundown. Although realizing her tardiness in adequately preparing, Golda refuses to make a pre-emptive move, instead ordering a partial mobilization to face the threat; nevertheless, the attack commences early, which surprises her. Elsewhere, Dayan, who had been sent to inspect the Golan Heights, is horrified to discover that Syria has launched a thorough attack against the ill-prepared Israeli troops. Dazed, he attempts to resign, but Golda talks him out of it, nonetheless, she loses her confidence in him.

Between 7-8 October, with Egypt and Syria making gains into Israel, IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. David Elazar proposes to relieve Israeli fortifications in the Sinai Peninsula using the 162nd Division led by Maj. Gen. Avraham Adan. Despite opposition from Mossad chief Zvi Zamir, the plan proceeds, but the Egyptians defeat the Israeli force. The next day, with the Syrian offensive having slowed, Dayan proposes an air strike on Damascus to put pressure on Egypt. However, with a shortage of planes, the IAF is unable to proceed; in response, Golda requests U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger to provide surplus jets, which he reluctantly agrees to. On the fifth day, amidst increasing tensions, Maj. Gen. Ariel Sharon proposes an operation to cross the canal using the 143rd Division to challenge the Egyptian Second and Third Armies. Zvi informs Golda that the Egyptian 4th and 21st Divisions would cross the canal in two days, leaving Cairo undefended in the event of an attack. Per the intelligence, the Egyptians cross the canal and are met with resistance from Israeli tank forces led by Lt. Gen. Haim Bar-Lev and are defeated.

On 15 October, Sharon’s forces cross the canal at an undefended point called the "Chinese Farm". They are ambushed by Egyptian units, regardless, they maintain their positions. Meanwhile, Elazar prepares to barricade the Third Army by cutting Suez from Cairo, which would accordingly force Egypt into negotiations. Concurrently, Kissinger pays a private visit to Golda and urges her to accept a ceasefire. Golda proceeds with her plan anyway, which finally forces Egypt into talks.

By the twentieth day, both sides agree to further diplomatic talks and to exchange POWs, effectively concluding the conflict. However, Zvi privately informs Golda that IDF military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Eli Zeira had neglected to properly monitor signals intelligence from the Egyptian side, which allowed Israel to be attacked unawares; although appalled, she chooses to bear the blame instead to shield the IDF from controversy. Despite the victory, the conflict's intensity inflicts an emotional toll on the aged Golda, who is stricken with cancer.

One year later, in 1974, Golda testifies before the Agranat Commission for her conduct during the war. She states off the record that despite her initial uncertainty, she had genuinely felt that war was certain. Four years later, on 8 October 1978, a bedridden Golda dies watching footage of her meeting with Egyptian president Anwar Sadat a year earlier.

The film's monologue informs that the commission cleared Golda of any wrongdoing and that she lived to see the signing of the Camp David Accords, the first formal measures of peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Production

Development

In April 2021, it was announced Helen Mirren was set to star, with Guy Nattiv to direct, a screenplay by Nicholas Martin.[4] In November 2021, Camille Cottin, Rami Heuberger, Lior Ashkenazi, Ellie Piercy, Ed Stoppard, Rotem Keinan, Dvir Benedek, Dominic Mafham, Ben Caplan, Kit Rakusen and Emma Davies joined the cast.[5] In January 2022, Liev Schreiber announced his involvement.[6]

Filming

Principal photography began on November 8, 2021, in London, United Kingdom.[7] [8]

Casting controversy

Helen Mirren was cast as Golda Meir at the behest of Meir's grandson Gideon.[9] In January 2022, British actress Maureen Lipman and others criticized the casting choice on account of Mirren not being Jewish, stating: "I'm sure she will be marvelous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela. You just couldn't even go there."[10] [11] The following month, Mirren responded by saying Lipman was "utterly legitimate" to criticize her casting, and she had discussed the decision to cast her in the film with director Nattiv.[12]

Release

In July 2021, Bleecker Street and ShivHans Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[13] In August 2023, Vertical Entertainment acquired U.K. and Irish distribution rights in partnership with MetFilm Distribution.[14] It had its world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on February 20, 2023.[15] It also screened at the Jerusalem Film Festival on July 13, 2023.[16] It was released in Israel on August 24, 2023, by,[17] and in the United States the next day, on August 25, 2023.[18] The film was released theatrically in the United Kingdom and Ireland on October 6, 2023.[14]

Golda was released for digital platforms on September 19, 2023, followed by a Blu-ray and DVD release on October 17, 2023.[19]

Reception

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Golda was released alongside Gran Turismo, The Hill, and Retribution, and was projected to gross around $1 million from 883 theaters in its opening weekend.[20] It finished its run with $4.8 million in the United States and $6 million worldwide.[21]

Critical response

In a positive review, Matt Goldberg describes the film as "an acknowledgment of sacrifice" and "cold pragmatism leading to the warmth of peace."[22] In a negative review, the film was described as "typical Israeli propaganda," by Ramzy Baroud, published in Arab News and Middle East Monitor.[23] [24]

A New York Times review by Amy Nicholson concluded that against the backdrop of a surprise attack on Israel, the script, by Nicholas Martin, focuses on the haunting body count rather than the righteousness of the conflict, where one is “left with a sense that the stress of those thousands of lives cut short may have killed her (Golda) too.”[25]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResult
World Soundtrack AwardsOctober 21, 2023Discovery of the YearDascha Dauenhauer[26]
Women Film Critics CircleDecember 18, 2023Best ActressHelen Mirren[27]
Best Equality of the SexesGolda
Alliance of Women Film JournalistsJanuary 3, 2024Grand Dame for Defying AgeismHelen Mirren (also for Fast X)[28]
AARP Movies for Grownups AwardsJanuary 17, 2024Best ActressHelen Mirren[29]
Cinema for Peace AwardsFebruary 19, 2024Most Valuable Film of the Year 2024Guy Nattiv[30]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists GuildFebruary 18, 2024Best Special Make-Up EffectsKaren Thomas, Eva Susanna Johnson Theodosiou[31]
Academy AwardsMarch 10, 2024Best Makeup and Hairstyling[32]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: September 6, 2023. Golda (12A) . September 6, 2023 . BBFC.
  2. Golda . Golda-(2023-United-Kingdom) . November 2, 2023.
  3. Golda . November 2, 2023.
  4. Web site: Helen Mirren To Play Israel's Only Female Prime Minister Golda Meir In Movie Biopic . Andreas. Wiseman. Deadline Hollywood. April 6, 2021. April 6, 2021.
  5. Web site: First Look at Helen Mirren as Golda Meir in 'Golda' as 'Call My Agent' Star Camille Cottin Joins Cast. The Hollywood Reporter. Alex. Ritman. November 17, 2021. August 5, 2022.
  6. Web site: Liev Schreiber Reveals What Brought Him Back for 'Ray Donovan: The Movie'. TV Insider. Ileane. Rudolph. January 14, 2022. August 5, 2022.
  7. Web site: Day 1. #golda A second before we dive into our incredible journey, I wanted to thank every single one of our crew and cast for your amazing work, dedication and professionalism.. Instagram. Guy. Nattiv. November 8, 2021. August 5, 2022.
  8. Web site: Helen Mirren is unrecognizable in character on set of new movie. Today.com. Lindsay. Lowe. December 2, 2021. August 5, 2022.
  9. Web site: Shoard . Catherine . Helen Mirren addresses Golda controversy: 'I told the director that I'm not Jewish' . The Guardian . 2023-10-03 . 2023-10-03.
  10. Web site: 'It's a disaster': theatre giants draw battle lines over 'Jewface'. The Jewish Chronicle. John. Nathan. January 3, 2022. August 5, 2022.
  11. Web site: Maureen Lipman attacks casting of Helen Mirren as former Israeli PM Golda Meir. The Guardian. Andrew. Pulver. January 5, 2022. August 5, 2022.
  12. Web site: Helen Mirren says Maureen Lipman was right to criticise her casting as Jewish Golda Meir. The Independent. Jacob. Stolworthy. February 5, 2022. August 5, 2022.
  13. Web site: Bleecker Street, ShivHans Secure U.S. Rights To Guy Nattiv's Helen Mirren-Starrer 'Golda'. Deadline Hollywood. Jill. Goldsmith. July 14, 2021. August 5, 2022.
  14. Web site: Guy Nattiv's 'Golda', starring Helen Mirren, set for UK-Ireland theatrical release. Screen International. Mona. Tabbara. 14 August 2023. 26 August 2023.
  15. Web site: Berlin Film Festival Adds Eight Titles to Berlinale Special Lineup, Including 'Golda,' 'Last Night of Amore,' 'Kill Boksoon'. Variety. Leo. Barraclough. January 13, 2023. July 25, 2023.
  16. Web site: Jerusalem Film Festival Sets Guy Nattiv's 'Golda' Starring Helen Mirren As Opening Film. Deadline Hollywood. Melanie. Goodfellow. June 6, 2023. July 25, 2023.
  17. Web site: Guy Nattiv Talks 'Golda' Launch In Israel As Biopic Takes On Fresh Relevance Amid Judicial Reform Protests. Deadline Hollywood. Melanie. Goodfellow. July 17, 2023. July 25, 2023.
  18. Web site: Helen Mirren Battles Political Strife in 'Golda' Trailer – Film News in Brief. Variety. Jazz. Tangcay. McKinley. Franklin. July 25, 2023. July 25, 2023.
  19. Web site: Golda (2023). www.dvdsreleasedates.com. January 13, 2024.
  20. Web site: How 'Gran Turismo' Could Take The Checkered Flag At Weekend Box Office – Preview. Anthony. D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood. August 22, 2023. August 23, 2023. August 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230823003951/https://deadline.com/2023/08/gran-turismo-box-office-1235525398/. live.
  21. Web site: Golda . 2023-11-20 . Box Office Mojo.
  22. News: Not your standard biopic, ‘Golda’ is a gritty warning about the cost of victory . Times of Israel.
  23. News: New Golda Meir movie sells war crimes as empowerment . Arab News.
  24. News: Glorifying hate, the Golda movie shows that Zionism remains unrepentant . Middle East Monitor.
  25. Web site: Nicholson . Amy . August 24, 2023 . 'Golda' Review: Chain-Smoking Through the Guilt . November 19, 2023 . The New York Times.
  26. Web site: Discover all 2023 World Soundtrack Awards nominees! . 2024-01-14 . World Soundtrack Awards . en.
  27. Web site: 2023-12-18 . AwardsWatch - Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC): 'Barbie,' 'Nyad,' 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' 'Past Lives' Win Big . 2024-01-14 . AwardsWatch . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2023 EDA AWARDS NOMINEES – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS . 2024-01-14 . en-US.
  29. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . 2024-01-09 . AARP Movies For Grownups Nominations Heavy With 'Oppenheimer' & 'Killers Of The Flower Moon; 'Barbie' Up For Best Picture . 2024-01-14 . Deadline . en-US.
  30. News: Hillary Clinton Teases Sharon Stone On "Gigantic Bath Robe" Gown At Cinema For Peace Gala In Berlin .
  31. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . 2024-01-02 . 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,' 'Dancing With the Stars' Lead Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Nominations (EXCLUSIVE) . 2024-01-14 . Variety . en-US.
  32. Web site: Nordyke . Kimberly . 2023-12-21 . Academy Unveils Shortlists in 10 Oscar Categories . 2024-01-14 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.