Actress Kate Winslet is an Academy Award winner with several critically acclaimed films under her belt. Over her career, Winslet has excelled at playing strong female characters, especially ones based on real people. That trend continues with her performance as Lee Miller in the biographical drama film Lee, directed by Ellen Kuras.
During an interview, Winslet spoke about the real-life figure who inspired the film and shed light on Miller’s work as a correspondent during World War II. However, when bringing Miller’s life to the big screen, Winslet and her team decided to focus on the mother-son relationship as the emotional core, and here is why the film is already a strong Oscar contender.
Kate Winslet Revealed How a Heartbreaking True Story Inspired Lee
In Lee, Kate Winslet plays the role of Lee Miller, a real-life model turned photojournalist who worked as a correspondent for Vogue during the Second World War. Although Miller passed away in 1977, her work and reputation as an artist gained recognition because of her son, Antony Penrose.
During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Winslet opened up about the heartbreaking mother-son story at the center of her biographical drama based on Miller’s life. She stated:
Anthony Penrose has done so much to not only upholding his mother’s Legacy but also coming to understand since her death in 1977 who she truly was and also understand why she was the way she was as a mother.
The Mare of Easttown star added that Penrose shared a difficult relationship with his mother, primarily because Miller struggled with alcoholism and battled with PTSD when he was still a child.
Ultimately, Lee is a heartbreaking portrayal of a mother from the lens of a son, who only comes to understand her as a person through the vast amount of photo negatives, diaries, and other material Miller left behind about her experience during the war. As a result, the tragic story combined with brilliant performances from a cast led by Winslet make the movie a strong Oscar contender.
Kate Winslet Paid the Cast and Crew of Lee With Her Own Money
A film based on Miller’s life was first announced to be in development in 2015, with Winslet slated to star and produce the biographical period drama. However, the film faced many struggles as it underwent several rewrites before reaching the production state.
During its production, the film reportedly faced issues with its costs, and Winslet later slammed male executives for patronizing her. In an interview with Vogue, Winslet opened up about the trouble she faced while producing the movie and admitted to paying the cast and crew with her own money for two weeks.
The men who think you want and need their help are unbelievably outraging. I’ve even had a director say to me: ‘Listen, you do my film and I’ll get your little Lee funded.’
Winslet made the above statement, voicing her outrage over a director calling a film based on Miller’s life “little.”
Ultimately, Winslet went to great lengths to produce the film herself and it proves her dedication to doing justice to Miller’s life and legacy. The Titanic star did not let insufficient funds deter her from making the movie and it eventually secured UK distribution from Sky Cinema.
Lee was released theatrically in the UK on 13 September 2024.
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