The film“The Photographer” tells the fascinating yet harrowing story of Lee Miller, a woman who made a name for herself as a photographer and war correspondent in a male-dominated world. Based on true events and directed by Ellen Kuras, this film brings to life the life and work of a woman who faced the challenges of her time with unwavering determination.
The journey of Lee Miller: from model to war correspondent
Lee Miller, played by Oscar winner Kate Winslet, begins her career as a model and muse to avant-garde photographer Man Ray. But she wants to be more than just the subject in front of the camera. She takes up the camera herself and begins her own career as a photographer. Miller’s story takes a dramatic turn when the Second World War breaks out and she moves to London with her partner, the art dealer Roland Penrose (played by Alexander Skarsgård). There she gets a job at British Vogue, where her work is initially restricted by the expectations placed on women. But Miller has greater ambitions and pushes to go to the front as a war photographer – a project she is initially denied because of her gender.
But Miller will not be stopped. She receives war accreditation from the USA and makes her way to Europe alone. There she documented the horrors of war in images that still have an impact today. Her recordings of the liberation of Paris, the siege of Saint Malo and the Buchenwald and Dachau concentration camps are among the most haunting documentations of this period.
A milestone in war photography
Photo: ©Sky UK Ltd Kimberley French
Lee Miller’s picture of herself in Hitler’s abandoned apartment, in which she is sitting in the dictator’s bathtub, is particularly iconic. This image is symbolic of her unique perspective and her courage to capture not only the human tragedies but also the absurd contradictions of war in the midst of chaos and destruction. Miller’s photographs show a blunt reality, especially the plight of women and girls, who often remain in the shadows of war history.
Her work alongside photographer David E. Scherman (played by Andy Samberg) makes her one of the first female photographers to publish exclusive reports and images from the front lines of the Second World War. Together they document not only military operations, but also the emotional and physical destruction that war leaves on people.
A movie with a strong message
Photo: ©Sky UK Ltd Kimberley French
“The Photographer” is not only a war drama, but also a film about the emancipation and self-realization of a woman who went her own way at a time when women were often reduced to traditional roles. It is a tribute to Lee Miller’s unique talent and her tireless determination to assert herself in a male-dominated domain and change the world with her images.
Kate Winslet embodies this role with remarkable intensity and depth. Together with an outstanding cast, including Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough and Josh O’Connor, Winslet brings the emotional and artistic complexity of Miller’s life to the screen. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, is based on the biography written by Miller’s son Antony Penrose and gives a deep insight into the life of this extraordinary woman.
A visual and emotional masterpiece
Photo: ©Sky UK Ltd Kimberley French
Directed by Ellen Kuras, a former cinematographer with a special flair for visual storytelling, Lee Miller’s life story becomes an intense cinematic experience. The screenplay, written by Liz Hannah, Marion Hume and John Collee, depicts Miller’s career in a way that both touches and inspires.
With breathtaking images and a haunting narrative, “The Photographer” offers not only a tribute to Lee Miller’s photographic work, but also a profound reflection on war, human suffering and the courageous efforts of those who captured these stories for posterity. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in history, photography and strong female figures.
“The Photographer” is more than just a biographical drama – it is a moving journey into the heart of a war, told through the eyes of one of the most important female photographers of the 20th century.
About the author
Kinga Bartczak advises, coaches and writes on female empowerment, new work culture, organizational development, systemic coaching and personal branding. She is also the managing director of UnternehmerRebellen GmbH and publisher of the FemalExperts magazine .
