‘Why can’t I play a Jewish part?’ Dame Helen fires back in row over Golda role
I’d love to talk about it to Maureen Lipman over a cup of tea
V DAME HELEN Mirren has hit back in the “Jewface” row over her role as former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir in the forthcoming biopic Golda.
Responding to remarks by Dame Maureen Lipman criticising the casting of a non-Jew, she said: “If someone who’s not Jewish can’t play Jewish, can someone who’s Jewish play someone who’s not Jewish?”
The statement was interpreted as targeting Dame Maureen, who told the JC in January that she was not comfortable with Dame Helen playing Meir.
But in a more conciliatory tone, Dame Helen added: “I do believe it is a discussion that has to be had — it’s utterly legitimate.”
On playing a Jewish character, she said: “It was certainly a question that I had, before I accepted the role.”
The actress also revealed that she had expressed doubts to Golda director Guy Nattiv when they were discussing the possibility of her taking the film’s lead.
“I said, ‘Look Guy, I’m not Jewish, and if you want to think about that, and decide to go in a different direction, no hard feelings. I will absolutely understand.’ But he very much wanted me to play the role, and off we went.”
Dame Helen also revealed that while she had not been in contact with Dame Maureen, who has played a wide variety of characters throughout her career including a reverend in an episode of The Vicar of Dibley from 2015, she was open to meeting her to discuss the part.
She said: “I very much respect Maureen... and I love her as an actress, absolutely. I’d love to bump into her and sit and have a cup of tea, and talk about it.”
Earlier this year, Dame Maureen told the JC that she “disagreed” with the idea of Dame Helen playing Golda Meir, “because the Jewishness of the character is so integral”.
Citing Schindler’s List actor Sir Ben Kingsley as an example of how actors would not be allowed to play parts outside of their race, Dame Maureen said: “I’m sure Mirren will be marvellous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela. “You just couldn’t even go there.”
Dame Maureen reiterated the point in a letter to The Guardian: “If the ethnicity or gender of the character drives the role, then that ethnicity should be prioritised.” A third dame also became embroiled in the row when Dame Esther Rantzen wrote to The Times insisting Dame Helen be judged on “her acting and not her ethnicity”.