As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast, I must admit that my love for films based on real-life characters often teeters between admiration and skepticism. However, Kate Winslet‘s latest project, “Lee,” has managed to surpass those expectations with its captivating portrayal of the extraordinary life of photojournalist Lee Miller.
For the 2024 film lineup, a remarkable movie that’s quietly making waves and set for release this weekend is titled “Lee“. Starring and produced by Kate Winslet, it’s no shock, considering her talent. However, biopics based on real people often face the challenge of becoming must-see films. But I wholeheartedly suggest exploring the life story of photojournalist Lee Miller through this upcoming release. Moreover, when I talked to Winslet, she revealed how portraying a real-life character impacted her personal journey moving forward.
Prior to hitting play on the recent movie, I wasn’t familiar with Lee Miller, but after watching it, I must say that she has become something of a personal hero for me. This actress, renowned for her role in Titanic, expressed similar sentiments, which is why she dedicated nearly a decade to get the film right. When I asked her how portraying Miller had impacted her, this was her response:
To put it simply, I’ve stuck with the Rolleiflex camera because I needed to master its use and reproduce those distinctive images you mentioned. It was crucial for me that this camera never felt like a mere prop. Instead, I wanted it to feel like an instinctive part of me, something I could operate effortlessly, even as if it were an extension of my arms. At the same time, I desired it to be both palpably present and yet almost imperceptible, as if it had disappeared into my hands.
The Rolleiflex camera is a medium format twin lens reflex (TLR) device, initially manufactured in 1929 – an era when smartphone cameras weren’t commonplace. In preparation for the filming of “Lee“, Kate Winslet opted to utilize a Rolleiflex camera authentically, aiming to replicate some of Lee Miller’s legendary images from her journeys to Europe during World War II, where she captured the war from a distinctive, ground-level perspective. To further elaborate, the actress herself expressed:
The unique aspect of the Rolleiflex camera lies in its position below the user, making it necessary to look down at the image for capture. This arrangement allowed Lee to establish a deep connection with her subjects, enabling her to truly seize their truth beyond mere facial expressions, delving into their emotions and inner thoughts.
According to Winslet, when filming the project as Lee Miller, she aimed to truly embody the character. This required extensive time with a vintage Rolleiflex camera during filming. To this day, she still keeps the camera with her and continues to use it, not just on set for Lee, but also off-set.
Her unique talent for forming deep connections with people, whether through her photography or daily life, truly amazed me. This ability to genuinely perceive individuals, empathize with them, and show compassion left a lasting impression. Moreover, the photographic artistry and storytelling power she wielded in capturing the truth, particularly for those suffering in conflict zones, was an inspiration that has deeply resonated with me over time.
Lee Miller initially gained fame as a model in New York City during the 1920s, later transitioning into photography as a surrealist artist alongside renowned figures such as Man Ray. However, Lee significantly contributed to photography by serving as one of the rare female photographers who ventured onto the battlefields of World War II, capturing poignant images of the war’s events. Her work predominantly focused on documenting the women involved in WWII and courageously obtaining shots from battles like the Battle of Saint-Malo and Nazi concentration camps.
In a strange twist of fate, I found myself unintentionally starring in an iconic photo snapped the very day Adolf Hitler took his life. The picture was captured by my colleague, David E. Scherman, who was portrayed brilliantly by none other than Andy Samberg in this instance. This marks Lee’s first dramatic acting role that I recently shared with him during a conversation.
Overall, this camera and story clearly left and impact on Kate Winslet, and it impacted me too.
You’ll be able to see Winslet in Lee when the film hits theaters on September 27.
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2024-09-27 00:07