Ayelet Zurer Recalls Amazing Spielberg Experience

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Ayelet Zurer is currently captivating audiences as Vanessa Fisk in “Daredevil: Born Again,” but her career took off long before this role due to Steven Spielberg. She landed her Hollywood breakthrough by playing Daphna Kaufman in one of his lesser-known films, “Munich,” which significantly boosted her career in the U.S. Now, 20 years since working on the 2005 Academy Award-nominated film, she shares memories of collaborating with Spielberg on that project.

In a chat with George Edelman from MovieWeb, I shared insights about my journey from being a renowned figure in Israel to gracing the screen in a movie by the legendary Steven Spielberg – one of history’s most acclaimed directors. During our conversation, I highlighted that although I knew my role in the historical drama, Munich, was significant, it wasn’t until the editing phase of post-production that Spielberg truly recognized its importance.

I believe that movie is among his finest works. Working with Steven, a truly exceptional director, was an unforgettable experience for me. As it happened to be my first international film, coming from Israel, this opportunity felt like a dream come true.

The 1972 Summer Olympics story in Munich, Germany, where a Palestinian militant group conducted an attack resulting in the death of 11 Israeli Olympic team members and its aftermath, is one of Steven Spielberg’s lesser-known yet impactful films. Despite receiving five Oscar nominations, grossing over $130 million at the box office, and having a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has often been overshadowed by his larger-scale productions throughout the years. As Roger Ebert, a renowned critic, put it, this film “has sparked a broader conversation, helping to transform the indisputable into debatable topics.

Ayelet Zurer Calls Steven Spielberg “Amazing”

Speaking more about her enjoyable collaboration with Spielberg on the film “Munich“, Zurer shared an incident where some of her scenes didn’t make it to the final cut. Unlike other directors who may not inform actors until they see the completed movie, she noted that Spielberg was different: “He’s extraordinary,” she stated. “He’s one of the fairest individuals I’ve ever encountered.

He phoned me to inform me that some items needed to be cut from the movie since it was shortened. What was remarkable was that he called before watching the film, which is not something many directors typically do. Additionally, he complimented my work, letting me know that I’m doing a great job.

Discussing your professional side, you might find me in action as Zurer in the first season of “Daredevil: Born Again,” now streaming live on Disney+. The final episode will be aired on April 15. Unfortunately, “Munich” isn’t available for streaming at present, but it can be rented or bought on all Video On Demand (VOD) services.

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2025-04-12 00:31