Film Festival - Kate Winslet on women: "You are phenomenal"
Pride in Yourself, Less Self-Doubt: Following Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, women should tell themselves every day how wonderful they are. "Stop wasting any more of your precious, precious energy on shame for your body. Don't question how you look, you're all phenomenal," the 48-year-old urged during the European premiere of her new film "The Photographer" at the Munich Film Festival. And over 1500 guests applauded. Everyone loves Kate and clapped enthusiastically as she received the honorary award, the CineMerit Award, on Tuesday night.
Winslet's Advocacy for Women
Winslet's advocacy for women is no coincidence. In 1997, she became a worldwide star with "Titanic" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in an industry dominated by men. But the British actress managed to hold her own and carefully selected her projects and the people she worked with.
"The Photographer" and Many Strong Women
Her new film "The Photographer" is a work of many strong women, both in front and behind the camera. Winslet is a producer, along with Kate Solomon, with whom she lived during filming. She plays the lead character Lee Miller (1907-1977), who, despite being the only woman allowed, made it to the front lines as a war correspondent for the British magazine "Vogue" during World War II. Her photos serve as historical documents, including images from the liberation of the Buchenwald and Dachau concentration camps.
Ellen Kuras' Directorial Debut
The choice for the direction fell on Ellen Kuras, whose storytelling style Winslet greatly respects. The two have known each other since 20 years ago, from shared film sets, when Kuras was still a cinematographer. Women on set were rare back then, says Winslet. "We became good friends, simply because we were the only girls."
A Reunion with David Kross
A reunion for Winslet was with David Kross ("Kafka"), who gave the laudatory speech for the renowned actress during the CineMerit Award. They had acted together in the film "The Reader" from 2008, for which Winslet received an Oscar, in front of the camera. The theme: the relationship between a 15-year-old and a 20-years older woman. A not entirely simple shoot for Kross, who was only 17 at the time. But Winslet with her openness and understanding stood by him: "I am very grateful for how you helped me feel comfortable during these very intimate scenes," Kross thanked. "You gave me a safe place and helped me understand the process," with patience and above all a lot of humor.
- The Munich Film Festival is renowned for recognizing exceptional talent, as evidenced by the Oscar-winning actress Duchess Kate receiving the CineMerit Award there.
- During festivals like the Munich Film Festival, the spotlight often falls on films that celebrate the triumph of women, such as "The Photographer," which stars Duchess Kate.
- Leonardo di Caprio, who has won multiple Oscars, has been an inspiration for many actors, including David Kross, who gave a speech in honor of Duchess Kate at the Munich Film Festival.
- Munich is not only famous for its beer gardens and historic sites but also for its Film Festival, where the camera captures the essence of movies and people's reactions.
- The Munich Film Festival has become a platform for promoting gender equality in the film industry, with women like Duchess Kate advocating for more opportunities for women in front and behind the camera.
- David Kross, who first worked with Duchess Kate in "The Reader," praised her openness and understanding, crediting her with helping him feel comfortable during intimate scenes.
- The concept of self-doubt can be overcome, as seen in Duchess Kate's inspiring speech at the Munich Film Festival, urging women to celebrate their bodies and embrace their phenomenal qualities.
- Munich and Bavaria, as a whole, are treasure troves of culture and festivals, not just the Munich Film Festival, which attracts the best in German and international cinema.
- Women's stories, like Lee Miller's from "The Photographer," deserve to be told and appreciated in film festivals like the Munich Film Festival, elevating the voices of women and empowering future generations.
