Winslet continued, “And pretty soon after that I saw the wonderful Anna at an event in New York and she said, ‘I hear you’re doing a Lee Miller movie.’ I kept thinking, Oh, is it really going to happen? Now Anna has asked me and I will do it have to do it.” The room erupted in laughter.

“This film was remarkable to me because I was endlessly asking for favors and just ringing around and asking people to show up,” Winslet continued. “And that’s what they did. This cast has come, they’ve been there for me again and again, and so many of our crew have done the same. Michael O’Connor, our brilliant costume designer, is here. I’ve known him since I was 22 years old. Gemma Jackson, our brilliant designer who I’ve known since I was 25. And so this film is really based on great relationships, both old and new. My new relationship with Kate Solomon, my producing partner, who really made it. Thank you, Kate, for absolutely everything. And Antony Penrose and everyone at Farleys, your love and trust have been a beacon to me. Thank you for being here. I really hope you enjoy the film.”

Eventually the lights dimmed and lee took the audience through the different chapters of her extraordinary life: her time in France; Meeting with Scherman Life magazine, who later became a great friend; the treacherous days and nights in war zones; her journey to the harrowing Dachau concentration camp and the later stages of her life at Farleys, Miller’s family home near Lewes. We learn that Miller was fiery, smart and determined – but she was also troubled, struggling with alcohol and drug use and childhood trauma – something Winslet conveys with care. When asked if she could capture Miller’s nuanced character at this particular time in her life, in an interview in the October 2023 issue of fashionShe noted, “I’ve been through a lot, so there are corridors of emotions that I can access that I just didn’t have when I was younger.”

The film captures the horrors Miller endured, but also offers moments of levity – such as an introduction to the British language fashionWar editor Audrey Withers at Vogue House. “Don’t be so territorial, Audrey,” says legendary fashion photographer Cecil Beaton on several magazine pages. “Don’t you mean editorially?” Withers replied, earning a laugh from the current fashion Editors who were present at the screening. In total, lee is a compelling portrait of a woman who was committed to telling the truth, no matter the personal cost, and who went on to have a profound impact on photojournalism.

Enter the special screening below.

Lee can now be seen on Sky and NOW in the UK.