Key-SDA
(Keystone-SDA) British actress and producer Kate Winslet presented her new film “Lee” at the 20th Zurich Film Festival. The feminist movement in recent years inspired her to create a biopic about the American war reporter Lee Miller.
The strong urgency is reflected in her words that “Lee” is just another new film for the 49-year-old Oscar winner. And in the gestures. For example, when she leans back thoughtfully before answering, then a moment later she stays across the table and looks directly at the other person as they speak. With the independent film portrait of the American war photographer Lee Miller (1907-1977), who did not get rid of the labels “ex-model” and “muse of American photographer Man Ray”, Kate Winslet wants to send a clear message.
You worked on “Lee” for about ten years. A lot happened in the feminist movement during this time. How did the developments affect your project?
Kate Winslet: «I never doubted that I would do this film, but there were moments when I wondered how I was going to do it all. The feminist movement of the past few years has definitely encouraged me to stick with it. But she also let me know that it was okay to take my time with the script or get paid. Yes, she gave me strength.”
Surprisingly, the film doesn’t focus as much on how difficult it was for Lee Miller to make it in a male-dominated environment.
Winslet: “We didn’t mean to call it that. It was enough for us to show that she was one of the few female war photographers. The uniqueness of their work was much more important to us. The nature of her photography, the way she used a Rolleiflex to meet people’s eyes.”
Are there documents that confirm how Lee Miller felt as a woman of her time?
Winslet: “I read diary entries from her childhood. Lee Miller had severe mental health problems as a teenager, and very low self-esteem. It is remarkable that she overcame these difficulties as an adult.”
You’ve said in interviews how strongly you feel connected to Lee Miller. Has she made decisions that you don’t understand?
Winslet: “Unlike me, who became a mother for the first time at the age of 25, Lee Miller did not have a child during the war. In that sense, of course, I cannot understand everything exactly. But no, I never questioned her decisions. But maybe that’s also because I never questioned my own conviction in making this film.”
What could Lee Miller have learned from you?
Winslet: “I’ll be 50 next year, which I think is great. And the older I get, the more I learn to slow down every now and then. To think before I speak, for example. I did not go more carefully, but perhaps more carefully, to use an old but appropriate word. I wish Lee would rest for a moment.”
“Lee” is a film about a woman whose time as a model was unfairly cut short for a long time. But it is also a film about war. What role does this play for you in light of the current world situation?
Winslet: “There will always be innocent victims in conflict. Lee’s intention to look into the dark corners, to be the visual voice of these victims, is always very important. I think the film allows us to better recognize the importance of the work of war reporters. And with respect.»*
*This text was produced by Miriam Margani, Keystone-SDA, with the help of the Gottlieb Foundation and Hans Vogt.