3 Upcoming Biopics I Am Excited To See
October 2024 Edition (And Yes, Kate Winslet Has Done It Again!)
1. “Lee” with Kate Winslet
Set during World War II, Lee tells the story of renowned war photographer Lee Miller. She captured some of the most harrowing and iconic images of the war.
I’ve first heard about this fearless female war photographer from Natasha Lester, an Australian author who writes fabulous historical novels, often with a WW2 background. (Check out Natasha’s Substack called Bijoux here; her monthly reading lists are 😙🤌*Chef’s kiss*).
Growing up in Germany, I obviously had heard of a woman sitting in Adolf Hitler’s private bathtub—and I always wondered who it was. Turns out: Lee Miller.
Now Lee’s story is being made into a film and I am so enthusiastic to see Kate Winslet playing her. Winslet was fabulous portraying a woman who suffers from the aftermath of World War II in The Reader; that’s why I am very curious to see what she can do with a person like Miller. What’s the background to all this?
Lee Miller began her career as a fashion model in New York before becoming the muse of surrealist artist Man Ray in Paris. Her transition into war journalism marked a dramatic shift in her life, as she documented the liberation of Paris and the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. The film is said to showcase Miller’s bravery and skill. It also highlights her struggle with PTSD and the trauma of what she witnessed.
This video above is narrated by Kate Winslet. ☝️Definitively worth a look.
2. The film “Dali”
This looks absolutely entertaining... I know too little to judge whether it’s historically accurate, but that’s probably not the point. It certainly captures the creative chaos surrounding the genius painter.
3. The Film “Maria Callas: A Life in Music”
I haven’t seen much about this film yet, but the first look is glorious. The trailer I’m linking to below was released only yesterday. — This biographical film focuses on the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, portrayed by Angelina Jolie.
Set against the backdrop of 20th-century Europe, it traces her meteoric rise to fame, her tumultuous love affair with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, and the intense personal sacrifices she made for her art.
Callas, often referred to as “La Divina,” was known for her incomparable voice and dramatic interpretations, which revolutionised opera. The film is expected to capture both her public persona as a diva and her private struggles with loneliness, ambition and identity.
I don’t know if Angelina Jolie has done other films related to music or from this time and period, so it will be interesting to see how she portrays this diva of opera music.
4. The Film “The Apprentice” (2024)
This one! Saving the most controversial for last… I am really eager to see this. I’ve already watched a ton of interviews with the actors, on how they prepared.
The most peculiar thing for me, as a historian, is that the actress playing Ivana Trump has already said: “It's NOT a Trump biopic.” It's an interpretation... I don’t know if it's a legal thing where they’re trying to avoid being sued. But on the other hand, they quote extensively from divorce papers and other legal sources from the early years of Donald Trump’s rise, which means they have made an effort to be accurate.
What’s the story? This drama spotlights the early life of real estate mogul Donald Trump and his rise in the New York business scene.
The film stars Sebastian Stan as young Trump, showcasing his journey to establish a foothold in the world of high-stakes real estate. Sebastian Stan was absolutely fabulous in portraying Tommy Lee in Pam & Tommy (Hulu 2022).
Opposite him plays Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump, the Czech-born skier-turned-model.
Both actors share a Eastern European background: Stan is from Romania, having moved to New York himself at age 12. Bakalova is from Bulgaria.
Stan and Bakalova portray not only the complex dynamics of this New York power couple as they navigate ambition and identity, but also a very twisted version of the American Dream.
It was so intriguing to hear Stan talk about the ‘American Dream’, and what happens when it turns sour… Watch the interview with Jimmy Kimmel below to hear more. And read this long essay by Greg Olear: https://substack.com/home/post/p-150135098
Which of these films are you going to watch?
~ Barbara
Historian with German precision. Unreasonably fast reader 📚. 800 pages before lunch ☕. Helps actors & writers prepare biopics 🎬 and historical roles using forgotten archives, letters, and diaries 📜. More at https://withdrbarbara.com/
PS. Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
And another film from France, on singer Charles Aznavour.
I adored Lee, and Kate Winslet was excellent. I don't think I could stomach a whole film about Trump, though!
Looks like good stuff coming. I'll pass on the last one. Now I have to go find the release dates! Thanks for the info.