Helen Mirren, a London native descended from Russian aristocracy (her grandfather was stranded and took up residence in England during the 1917 revolution), reportedly aspired to be an actress from the tender age of 6. Although her parents did not look upon acting as a viable profession, Helen nevertheless eventually found her way after auditioning for and winning a place at the National Youth Theatre. She made her debut at the Old Vic in 1965 as Cleopatra (in Antony And Cleopatra). Within two years she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her career suddenly began moving at a lightning pace, and, although she appeared in two filmed Shakespeare plays previously, Helen made her screen debut proper in 1969 when director Michael Powell cast her opposite James Mason in AGE OF CONSENT. Here she set a high standard for more exceptional film performances to come as well as exhibited a healthy, boldly uninhibited attitude towards frankness of subject matter. Indeed, she appeared nude in several idyllic island interludes throughout this endearing, joyful picture. More controversial and acclaimed roles followed, including Ken Russell’s SAVAGE MESSIAH, Lindsay Anderson’s O LUCKY MAN, John Mackenzie’s THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, John Boorman’s EXCALIBUR, Pat O’Connor’s CAL, Taylor Hackford’s WHITE NIGHTS (she married Hackford in 1997), Peter Weir’s THE MOSQUITO COAST, Peter Greenaway’s THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER and Paul Schrader’s THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS. In 1990, she also inaugurated the role of police detective Jane Tennison in the pioneering British TV series, "Prime Suspect," bringing all the courage, vulnerability and honesty she had shown in her best film portrayals. Indeed, her depiction of an all-too-human, tenacious, emotionally dysfunctional but fearless policewoman ranks as some of her finest work. More celebrated performances have followed from the 1990’s on, from Terry George’s SOME MOTHER’S SON and Robert Altman’s GOSFORD PARK to excellent cable television productions such as THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS. STONE and ELIZABETH I (for which she won a well-deserved Emmy). Helen’s latest role as Queen Elizabeth in Stephen Frear’s THE QUEEN is earning her more accolades than ever before, and she seems poised to receive yet another Oscar nomination for Best Actress. We are very happy to welcome Helen Mirren for this special In-Person Tribute at The Egyptian Theatre.

Friday, January 12 – 7:30 PM

Helen Mirren Double Feature:

CAL, 1984, Warner Bros., 102 min. Dir. Pat O’Connor. John Lynch (ANGEL BABY) is Cal, an accomplice in the IRA murder of a Protestant policeman, who falls in love with the man’s Catholic widow, librarian Marcella (Helen Mirren, who won Best Actress at Cannes). Guilt-plagued Cal is caught between a rock-and-a-hard place, not cut-out for ruthless extremism nor for the dishonest front he must maintain as his relationship with Mirren flowers. Both Mirren and Lynch are phenomenally good as doomed lovers unable to live their lives the way they’d like because of the intolerant and hateful nature of society around them. With Donal McCann, Ray McAnally."Miss Mirren, through a reserve that disappears layer by layer, makes Marcella a woman of unexpected substance and generosity, one who is no more comfortable with the pain and paradoxes of Northern Ireland than Cal is himself." – Janet Maslin, New York Times NOT ON DVD.

Saturday, January 13 – 7:30 PM

Helen Mirren In-Person – Double Feature:

THE QUEEN, 2006, Miramax, 97 min. Blending the rewards of a detailed film biography with an insightful meditation on character, director Stephen Frears (DANGEROUS LIAISONS; DIRTY PRETTY THINGS) puts the British monarchy under the microscope. Set in 1997, it details the bond of trust that slowly develops between the 71-year-old Queen Elizabeth – humanized by the Oscar-caliber performance of Helen Mirren in the title role – and prime minister, Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) following the death of Princess Diana. With James Cromwell. "…Helen Mirren…has turned THE QUEEN into something you never imagined it could be: a crackling dramatic story that's intelligent, thoughtful and moving." – Kenneth Turan, The Los Angeles Times "Like all great performances…Mirren maintains an edge of mystery…that has all the ambiguities of real life and real people." – Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle