Ahead of Lee’s debut in North America, which follows the real-life story of model-turned-war correspondent Lee Miller, Kate Winslet, who played the titular role, delved in depth about the film’s production. Considering Miller’s story was yet to receive a major onscreen adaptation, despite her life being incredibly eventful, Winslet took it on herself to drive this adaptation.

Kate Winslet in Lee | Credit: StudioCanal UK

Elaborating on her reasoning to bring her long-time collaborator and acclaimed cinematographer Ellen Kuras as the biopic’s director, Winslet shared that they wanted to ensure Lee’s onscreen depiction wasn’t defined by the male gaze.

Kate Winslet Celebrated Feminine Energy With Lee Biopic

Lee | Credit: StudioCanal UK

Apart from headlining the adaptation, Kate Winslet also serves as the producer on Lee, which opened to a decent reception upon its premiere last year at TIFF. As for the creative process involved, Winslet, alongside her producing partner Kate Solomon, ensured to have that “feminine energy around all the time” by having a 50-50 male-female crew, which they were “enormously proud of”.

Given how influential Lee Miller was, responsible for capturing some of the most harrowing images of World War II, the “feminine energy” involved allowed them to celebrate her legacy both on and off-screen.

We had a 50-50 male-female crew, which we were enormously proud of. It made a huge difference to have that feminine energy around all the time. That sense of resilience, that sense of determination that wonderful multitasking skillset that women really do have… It really stood us in good stead in making this film and honoring the energy of Lee and the courage and determination that she had. We really tried to make the film with those same values.

This also pushed Winslet to include notable cinematographer Ellen Kuras, who was yet to helm a feature film prior to this, as Lee‘s director, and given the initial reactions, it’s safe to say she did a stellar job.

Lee Miller’s Legacy Continues To Inspire Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet as Lee Miller | Credit: StudioCanal UK

Speaking of the impact of Lee Miller, Winslet added that the modernity involved with Miller continues to inspire the Titanic star. While Winslet admitted the American icon was flawed and emotionally fractured at times, her free and confident nature continues to resonate with women. The Avatar star expressed that not only she found it “refreshing, but vital, especially now”.

Lee was a contemporary woman 80 years ago — she redefined femininity to mean all the extraordinary things that we as women now are living our lives with. And we’re raising our daughters that way. So there’s something so modern about how she walked through the world. That stayed with me and will continue to inspire me beyond this moment.

With Lee being her foray into the realm of producing, Winslet has entertained the idea of continuing on this path and work on more projects as a producer.