When the three youthful directors of the documentary, “Golda” (Meir), were close to completing their film, they had a huge stroke of luck: They discovered some never before seen archival footage of an off the record conversation among Golda Meir and two interviewers.
Taking place shortly before Meir’s death at the age of 78, this relaxed, hour-long discussion formed the new basis of their film, which focused on the successes and failures over Meir’s controversial career.
It may surprise North Americans, especially U.S. citizens, that Meir, deemed “The Queen of Israel,” and so admired on this side of the Atlantic by her contemporaries, was and is detested by many Israelis. “As the only woman to serve as Israel’s prime minister (1969-1974), Meir is perceived as a Jewish icon and feminist heroine. But in Israel, she’s more reviled than revered.” (Daytona Jewish Observer). This may account for some reviewers’ opinions that the documentary is sympathetic to Meir and cleans up her legacy, while others opine that it “knocks her off her pedestal” and that “Golda is not so golden.” In the main, it’s the Israelis who are critical of her, especially the generation of the film makers’ parents, who actually lived through the trauma of the 1973 Yom Kippur war of attrition with Egypt.
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.