Golda Meir is one of those political figures who is seen very differently in her country and the rest of the world. In Israel she is considered as one of the most controversial prime ministers in the state’s 75-year history, not only because of her responsibility in the failure to prevent and the inadequate preparation of the Yom Kippur War, but also because of the way she approached socio-economic issues or the Palestinian problem. When she was forced to resign, Israel was a weaker country with more problems than when she came to the helm. Outside Israel, the views are radically different. Her enemies, of course, pay her the compliment of their hatred, but the majority of public opinion and a large part of the Jewish population of the world consider her as one of the important political figures in the history of the 20th century, the first female prime minister in Israel, a personality dedicated to her people and an intelligent and witty woman who left behind many memorable quotes. ‘Golda‘, the 2023 movie made by the Israel-born director Guy Nattiv on a script written by the British Nicholas Martin, will also be perceived differently by Israelis and those who do not live in this country. For the former, it is a fragment of history brought to film with a formidable timing, 50 years after the Yom Kippur war. For the rest of the viewers it may be the first deeper encounter with both the history of that war and the personality of Golda Meir. Dominated by the performance of Helen Mirren, who adds yet another ‘iron lady’ role to her formidable filmography, the film will probably not change many opinions or clear up any controversy related to the historical character of Golda.
Nothing that happens or doesn’t happen in the Middle East is without consequence. The film’s script is based on documents, books, journalistic investigations published in the 50 years that have passed since the war and which have already generated several documentary films or docu-dramas watched and debated especially in Israel. The widely accepted historical version, also adopted here by the scriptwriter, regarding the start of the war is that the top Israeli military and government, including Golda Meir, ignored warnings about the imminent outbreak of war for various reasons (negligence, overconfidence in their own forces) , but especially because America, Israel’s allies, had been putting pressure against a preemptive strike. The short-term result was a disastrous start to the war for Israel, with hundreds dead, thousands wounded and prisoners. In the long run, the relative success of the Egyptian forces made possible, a few years later, the peace between Egypt and Israel, which is preserved to this day. The film takes place during the 18 days of the war and focuses on Golda Meir’s actions and decisions, turmoil and personal suffering. Unlike other films that deal with these events and Golda’s personality, her personal physical suffering is also brought to the screen. Sick of lymphatic cancer, Golda Meir was undergoing radiation treatments. Her state of his health was a state secret. In a scene that is repeated several times, on the way to the treatment room in a large hospital, Golda and her companions pass through the corridor of the morgue. As the story progresses, the morgue is filled with the bodies of soldiers killed in the war. In another touching scene, Golda is confronted with the coffins of fallen soldiers brought from the front. In a small country like Israel, the personal cost of war touches everyone. One of her secretaries has a son in the army. Tragedy does not avoid her.
I do not think that this cinematic version of events brings spectacular news. The screenwriter and director chose the docu-drama style. Israeli viewers will have a sense of deja-vu, foreigners who know little or nothing about the characters will get lost in the details. Helen Mirren‘s performance is magnificent and I can’t add anything as all the praise has already been said or written. I liked less the interpretations of some of the Israeli actors (Lior Ashkenazi, Rami Heuberger), where I felt more their opinion of the characters than concern for authenticity. A major role is played in the film by the relationship between Golda and Henry Kissinger, which takes on some of the legends. Liev Schreiber didn’t really impress me as Kissinger. Guy Nattiv intersperses documentary sequences from the current affairs journals of the time, but chooses not to recreate any battle scenes on the screen. Government and military chiefs monitor some of the military operations from the army command center. According to the technology of the time, the voices of those reporting and the sounds of the fighting can be heard, but the images are not seen. The effect is dramatic, emphasizing the chaos of war and the degree of uncertainty faced by those making crucial decisions.
‘Golda‘ manages to offer Helen Mirren the opportunity for another great role, from a perspective that humanizes the historical character. I think that Guy Nattiv intended to contrast Golda’s modesty and humanity with that of today’s rulers, but this is another aspect that is likely to be less noticed by uninitiated viewers. 50 years after the events, that war is still discussed and controversial. ‘Golda‘ is the film of an episode of a war that refuses to end.