Amid gunfire and smoke, gender expectations and narcissistic constraints, wartime photographer Lee Miller overcame all obstacles to capture some of the most important photographs of the 20th century. Kate Winslet’s latest production and starring role in “Lee” brings the iconic figure’s story to life in living color, recounting a long-hidden episode in the radical artist’s life in an epic tale of the period.
On Wednesday night, the cast and crew — including Winslet, director Alan Kuras, Andy Samberg and Andrea Riseborough — gathered with supporters and peers to screen the film and learn about Miller’s tragic story at the Museum of Modern Art’s Celeste Bartos Theater.
Winslet said after the screening, “Her intelligence and compassion allowed her to truly find her identity in life. She was uncompromising, determined and deeply inspiring. The film was shot over nine weeks in three countries (Hungary, Croatia and England), it shows the depth and complexity of Miller’s journey from fashion model to intrepid photojournalist who fearlessly investigates the atrocities of World War II.
Miller’s war photography career began working with Audrey Withers, the then British editor of Askew, on the front lines, where he captured abandoned towns, concentration camps, and comfortable and evocative moments of soldiers and civilians.
This historical account was discovered after her death by her son Anthony Penrose and immortalized in the book “The Life of Lee Miller” written by Penrose, who was in attendance. “Through this film, I hope you will be able to meet my mother,” he said before the screening.
Samberg, who plays Life magazine war correspondent David Sherman, said of his character: “There are a lot of connections between Sherman and my own family. My grandfather was in the war, and my father was a photographer, so I was really lucky.
Following the film, guests gathered for a private reception at the nearby Arcadia Restaurant, where the cast met friends to discuss the screening over champagne and refreshments. The film’s powerful portrayal of Miller’s life and her indelible mark on fashion and war photography were discussed. That evening not only celebrated the release of Lee, but also reignited a long conversation (what it will surely be) about Miller’s remarkable story. NEW YORK CITY – September 24, 2024 – New York Premiere of “Lee,” presented by Roadside Attractions LLC. – Image: Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg and Kate Winslet – Photo: Dave Allocca/Starpix – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York Premiere of “Lee,” courtesy of Roadside Attractions LLC. – Image: Andrea Riseborough, Kate Solomon, Ellen Kuras and Shailene Woodley – Photo: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York Premiere of Lea, presented by Roadside Attractions LLC. – Image: Kate Winslet – Photography: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York Premiere of “Lea”, courtesy of Roadside Attractions LLC. – Featured: Andrea Riseborough – Photography by: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York Premiere of “Lea”, presented by Roadside Attractions LLC. – Image: Andy Samberg – Photography: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York premiere of “Lea” presented by Roadside Attractions LLC. – Featured: Kate Solomon – Photography: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York premiere of “Lea”, courtesy of Roadside Attractions LLC. – Image: Andrea Riseborough and Ellen Kuras – Photography: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York premiere of “Lea”, courtesy of Roadside Attractions LLC. – Featured: Amy Fine Collins – Photography: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York premiere of “Lee,” courtesy of Roadside Attractions LLC. – Featured: Giancarlo Esposito – Photo: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: Celeste Bartos Theater at the Museum of Modern Art, New York – September 24, 2024 – New York premiere of “Lee,” courtesy of Roadside Attractions LLC. – Illustrations: Kate Solomon and Antony Penrose – Photo: Dave Allocca/Starpics – Where: MoMA’s Celeste Bartos Theater
