An English film actress of Russian origin Helen Mirren (full name Lidia Vasilievna Mironova) was born on July 26, 1945 in London. The Mironov’s pedigree, later Mirren, comes from Peter Vasilievich Mironov, a large military engineer who was in London on a long-term basis on behalf of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Pyotr Vasilievich was engaged in the procurement of weapons and military ammunition for the Russian army, he is Helen's grandfather on the male line. The father of the actress, Vasily Petrovich Mironov, was born in 1913 in London. Mother, Kathleen Rogers, born in 1909, from a simple English family. The Mironovs did not return to Russia, none of them recognized the 1917 revolution. And after the death of Peter Vasilievich, his son, Vasily Petrovich, changed the Russian name Mironov to Mirren, thus rooted in England. Lida Mironova became Helen Mirren, although she does not hide her Russian origin, moreover, she is proud of him. Once the actress joked: "I'm half Russian, I mean my lower half ..."
Theatre
Helen Mirren in her youth dreamed of becoming a film actress, after school she entered the London College of Dramatic Art. After graduating, the graduated actress began working in the Old Vic Theater, but soon she became closely within the framework of the stage of the academic theater, and Helen moved to the Royal Shakespeare Troupe, where she immediately received full scope for her creative aspirations. The actress worked in the theater until the late 1960s, and then began acting in films.
Movie debut
The film debut of Helen Mirren was the film by Australian director Michael Powell "Adults", based on the novel by Norman Lindsay. In the center of the plot is the artist Bradley Morahan, who returned to his native home on one of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. There he meets a girl named Cora, who becomes his muse, model and beloved woman. Koru Ryan was played by Helen.
First roles
And again a talented painter, this time in the film “The Wild Messiah”, directed by Ken Russell, released in 1972. The film is about the drama of the 24-year-old artist Henri Godier, who died on the fronts of the First World War with the name of his beloved wife Sophie Brzeszka on his lips.
In 1973, the film “Oh Lucky!” Was directed by Lindsay Anderson, in which Helen Mirren played the role of Patricia, daughter of tycoon James Burges. The plot revolves around the hapless Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell), an ambitious sales agent who tries to achieve the heights of success using personal charm.
Cezonia and Victoria
The 1979 film Caligula is an epic film directed by Tinto Brass. And again, Malcolm MacDowell, who this time played the role of Caligula. Tiberius was played by Peter O'Toole, and Caligula's fourth wife, Cezonius, was Helen Mirren.
The following year, actress Helen Mirren played Victoria, wife of Harold Shend, the boss of the underworld of London in the movie " Good Long Friday," directed by John Mackenzie. A motion picture about the endless bloody showdown of ganster groups, in which the wives of bandits have to participate indirectly, and sometimes directly. Victoria was no exception, she helps her husband understand the intricacies of intrigue, the purpose of which is the removal of the mafia leader Harold Shenda and its subsequent destruction. In a life full of dangers, there still remains a place for simple human feelings, love and devotion.
Historical roles
“The Madness of King George” - a film directed by Nicholas Hitner in 1994 and telling about life at the court of the English king George III (played by Nigel Hawthorne). Helen Mirren plays Queen Charlotte, the king’s faithful wife. And when, on the initiative of the heir to the throne, George the Prince of Wales, members of the government decide to remove George III from power, accusing him of losing the American colonies and the Napoleonic wars devastating for the country, Queen Charlotte stands firmly in defense of her husband.
Mrs. Tingle
In the film "Kill Mrs. Tingle", directed by Kevin Williamson, Helen Mirren played a major role. Her character, a history teacher, Yves Tingle, has an unbearable character, she hates everyone around her and recognizes only her favorite Trudy Tucker, a spoiled girl from a wealthy family. A tense situation arises in college, teachers must decide on the distribution of scholarships. The head teacher of Miss Gold believes that the best student Lee Ann Watson should receive the scholarship, and not at all Trudy Tucker, for which Mrs. Tingle speaks. In the end, Yves Tingle gives Lee Ann an unprecedented low rating for history, thereby depriving her of a formal right to a scholarship. And here the main events take place with the participation of the director of the college.
The Queen and the first Oscar
Films with Helen Mirren were not popular until, in 2006, a film was made at the Miramax Films film studio, which can rightfully be considered one of the best films of the decade. This is the "Queen" directed by Stephen Frears with Helen Mirren in the title role. The plot focuses on the death of Princess Diana in a car accident on August 31, 1997 and the changes that followed this tragic event in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Elizabeth II, depressed by grief, is removed from all activities related to the organization of the funeral of Diana. The queen retires for hunting, on the first day with her son, Prince Charles, and the next day goes hunting alone. All this time, Prime Minister Tony Blair has been in Buckingham Palace , who is trying to determine the rules of farewell to the deceased princess, as well as the format of her funeral. The queen from the very beginning spoke in favor of holding the funeral closed, but Blair insists on a public funeral, citing the opinion of the people. In addition, Elizabeth II refused to lower the royal standard on the facade of the residence, explaining her decision by the fact that in cases of mourning the state flag is lowered, but not the heraldic signs of the monarchs.
For the film "Queen", Helen Mirren received three top awards at once, Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe. Elizabeth Helen Mirren - this is the best performance of a historical role.
Lev Tolstoy
Further, Helen Mirren starred in the title role in the film "Last Sunday" about the reincarnation of the great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. The picture was released in 2009 and was presented to the Russian audience through the production center of Andrei Konchalovsky. The full-length, almost two-hour, biographical film was directed by Michael Hoffman. The plot of the film reflects the dramatic changes in the worldview of Leo Tolstoy, who simultaneously abandoned the noble title, worldly pleasures, family, adopted vegetarianism and began to preach chastity and asceticism. Countess Sophia, the writer’s wife, devoted to him to the grave, cannot put up with the loss of life guidelines.
In 2010, the political detective "Reckoning", filmed by director John Madden, was released with Helen Mirren in the title role. The actress played Rachel Singer, a former Israeli intelligence agent, Mossad, who had long been retired. The image of Rachel in her youth was embodied by actress Jessica Chastain. The plot of the film reveals the events of 1965, when three Mossad agents kidnapped the alleged Nazi criminal hiding in the GDR and destroyed it. Later, this Nazi appeared in Ukraine, and thus it became clear that a fatal error had occurred that needed to be sorted out. Rachel Singer takes over the investigation.
Filmography
Helen Mirren, filmography which contains about 50 paintings, hopes to replenish its collection of film characters in the future.
- Year 1969 "Adults," directed by Michael Powell (Cora Ryan).
- Year 1972 - “The Wild Messiah”, directed by Ken Russell (Sophie Brzeszka).
- Year 1973 - “Oh, lucky one!”, Directed by Lindsay Anderson (Patricia).
- Year 1978 - “How You Like It,” directed by Kenneth Branagh (Rosalind).
- Year 1979 - "Caligula", director Tinto Brass (Caeson).
- Year 1980 - "Good Long Friday", directed by John Mackenzie (Victoria).
- Year 1981 - "Excalibur", directed by John Boorman (Morgana).
- Year 1984 - "Contacting," directed by Peter Hyams (Tanya Kirbuk).
- Year 1984 - "The Terrorist's Diary", directed by Pat Connor (Marcella).
- Year 1985 - "White Nights", directed by Taylor Hackford (Galina Ivanova).
- Year 1986 - Mosquito Coast, directed by Paul Theroux (Mother Fox).
- Year 1989 - "Cook, Thief, His Wife and Her Lover," directed by Peter Greenaway (Georgina).
- Year 1990 - “Comforting Strangers,” directed by Paul Schroeder (Caroline).
- Year 1991 - "Where even angels are afraid to appear," directed by Charles Sturridge (Lilia Herriton).
- Year 1994 - "Prince of Jutland", directed by Gabriel Axel (Gerrud).
- Year 1996 - "Sons", directed by Terry George (Kathleen Quigley).
- Year 1999 - "Kill Mrs. Tingle," directed by Kevin Williamson (Yves Tingle).
- Year 2001 - Gosford Park, directed by Robert Altman (Mrs. Wilson).
- Year 2003 - "Mrs. Stone's Roman Spring," directed by Jose Quitero (Karen Stone).
- Year 2004 - Pride, directed by John Downer (Machiba).
- Year 2005 - "Elizabeth I", directed by Tom Hooper (Elizabeth).
- Year 2006 - The Queen, directed by Stephen Frears (Elizabeth II).
- Year 2007 - “Treasure of the Nation,” directed by John Terteltaub (Emily Gates).
- Year 2008 - "Inkheart", directed by Ian Softley (Elinor).
- Year 2010 - "RED", directed by Robert Schventke (Victoria).
- Year 2011 - “The Perfect Millionaire,” directed by Jason Winer (Lillian Hobson).
- Year 2012 - “Hitchcock”, directed by Sasha Gervasi (Alma Reville).
- Year 2013 - "Phil Spector", directed by David Mamet (Linda Kenny).
Films featuring Helen Mirren do not go off the screens of movie theaters around the world. Currently, the actress starred a little, the roles that she is offered are mostly episodic or secondary. The characters of old grandmothers do not attract Helen's young soul and body, and she prefers to spend time in the library or in nature.
Personal life
The personal life of Helen Mirren, whose photo is on the covers of almost all glossy magazines, still does not differ in variety. Since 1980, the actress met with director Taylor Hackford. In 1997, the actual spouses of Hackford-Mirren registered their marriage.