Lee Miller documented the barbarism of the Nazis – and became famous through a picture in Hitler’s bathtub. Kate Winslet has now created a memorial to her with the film “The Photographer”.
She was a model, photographer and staged herself in Hitler’s bathtub: Lee Miller. Kate Winslet in an interview about her film “The Photographer”, which revolves around Miller.
Kate Winslet appeared in a great mood for the interview in Munich – a very special world premiere took place at the Munich Film Festival: “The Photographer” is the first film that actress Kate Winslet produced herself.
She worked on this project for ten years, which is about war reporter Lee Miller, who caused a stir in 1945 with a picture in Hitler’s bathtub. The film is now being released in cinemas. In an interview, Hollywood star Winslet explains her fascination with Miller.
The movie “The Photographer” is about the war reporter Lee Miller, who became famous through a picture taken in Hitler’s bathtub.
ZDFheute: Why a film about the war photographer Lee Miller?
Kate Winslet: Originally, all I knew was that she was a model and Man Ray’s lover. So she was burdened with all these horrible labels that were attached to her throughout her life! And then I thought to myself: that’s so wrong and so one-sided. I wanted to find out who she really was. And that’s why the film is such a passion project for me.
At the Munich Film Festival, Kate Winslet was presented with the honorary award for her film “The Photographer”. She has been supporting women for years and uses her stage to do so.
ZDFheute: How did working on the film change your opinion of Lee Miller?
Kate Winslet: I realized: This woman has achieved incredible things. She even risked her life during the war to bring the truth to light. And yet men only ever see her as an attractive woman. We have to change the dynamic with which she is understood. That was really part of my mission.
Kate Winslet in her role as war reporter Lee Miller.
ZDFheute: You meticulously recreated Lee Miller’s Holocaust photos in the film. Why?
Winslet: Every time we as actors go to work and have to recreate something that actually existed, it’s extremely difficult. We all felt the burden of this shoot on set and how emotional it was for everyone.
ZDFheute: How did the scene in Hitler’s bathtub come about?
Winslet: This photo was taken on the day of the liberation of Dachau. They had been in Dachau that morning, and the mud on the bath mat is the dirt from Dachau on that mat, deliberately placed there by Lee. But also Hitler and Eva Braun killed themselves in his bunker in Berlin that day.
So it’s just the timing of this particular picture, and also it was snowing. It was the end of April when this photo was taken, and the next morning it was snowing outside. It was just incredible.
ZDFheute: In the 30 years you have worked so far, you get the feeling that you are not just playing a role, but are becoming the person you are playing. How do you do that?
Winslet: Oh, finally someone says that, thank you. We women waste so much time scrutinizing our appearance. I don’t want to live my life like that anymore. And I think most of us feel insecure because we compare ourselves to other women or to a perfection that doesn’t actually exist.
I know that I’m not perfect. I know that I have three children and I’m very proud of that. But sometimes it takes more courage. Then it doesn’t matter who will see it. But I feel that it’s important. That’s important to me!