Here comes a first interview on “The Iron Lady” courtesy the British Express: Meryl Streep is the most nominated Oscar actress in Hollywood history. But even she was humbled by her latest role, playing former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. “She is like a heroine from Shakespeare,” she says. “I have held her up as an example to my three daughters of what women can do to change the world.” Streep, 62, who plays Baroness Thatcher, now 86, from her 40s to virtually the present day in a remarkable performance, became entranced by her character. Yet she admits that she knew little or nothing of her life or political policies. “What interested me more was the cost of her own political decisions on her, as a human being,” she says. “The more I researched, the more fascinated I became. When you are a leader and the buck stops with you what does that do to you and how do you stay strong? “I also realised how her policies split the nation. Some thought she was great. Others detested her for those policies. It was such a lonely job, especially for a woman.” Streep was a controversial choice, as an American, to play our Iron Lady. But British director Phyllida Lloyd, who directed Streep three years ago in Mamma Mia! says it was obvious to her. “Margaret Thatcher is the most significant female leader this country has had since Elizabeth I,” she says. “So I wanted the world’s most significant actress to play her.” Streep, though, who has captured the Thatcher voice and renowned grooming to perfection according to many who have already seen the film, has clearly fallen for her subject. The complete article can be read here.

Article courtesy The Hollywood Reporter: Former colleagues and admirers of Margaret Thatcher have mocked Streep’s portrayal of the former British prime minister, but Phyllida Lloyd is unfazed. Less than two months ahead of The Iron Lady’s U.K. release, Meryl Streep’s portrayal of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is generating a growing furor among British conservatives bristling at what they consider an unflattering portrayal. Director Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) is unfazed by the uproar. “People have been arguing about her [Thatcher] for months and months,” Lloyd tells THR. “She certainly burns brightly as a still very divisive character.” The movie, made for an estimated $13 million, has been penciled in for a Dec. 30 U.S. release by the Weinstein Co., bowing in exclusive runs in New York and Los Angeles before going wide Jan. 13. It is scheduled to hit U.K. screens Jan. 6 via Pathe’s distribution pact with 20th Century Fox. Much of the opposition to the drama comes from Tory stalwarts and former cabinet ministers who served under Thatcher. None has seen the film, but the movie’s trailer – which mixes elements of gentle comedy with scenes of Thatcher’s personal and political life – was enough to set them off. The complete article can be read here.

It’s finally here, welcome to the new version of Simply Streep! I was aiming for something different, yet classic and easy to navigate. All the previous content is still here and each page has been revised and updated – especially the career section with additional information on each film, play and television appearance as well as the specials section with a new feature on the many panel conversations that Meryl has done throughout the years. The video archive will be converted to the new layout as we speak. That being said – browse around, enjoy the new look and features – and tell me what you think! :-) And in case you’ll find a bug or error pages, let me know as well!

It’s a wrap for the US-China Forum for Arts and Culture and so it’s also the (probably) last big update on the festival. Each appearance album has been updated with additional pictures – thanks to Jay, Lynn and Sapphire for contributing them!

Many thanks to Alvaro for sending in scans from Entertainment Weekly’s Oscar predictions, dishing on Meryl’s Best Actress chances and English accent.

Here’s a big update today on all events that Meryl has attended at the US-China Forum for the Arts & Culture these past two days. First, a full video transcript of Meryl’s and Joel Coen’s Q&A has been added to the video archive. My favorite actress and the director of some of my all-time favorite movies together on a couch? Thank you, China! :-)

Then, pictures from all events have been added – additional ones to the first panel on November 18, and new pictures from the above mentioned Q&A as well as from the “Iron Lady” screening. If any Chinese visitors (and non-Chinese as well) have found more pictures or media on Meryl’s appearance, please drop me a line.

According to The Belfast Telegraph, Meryl Streep is set to make a high-profile return to Belfast shortly after her portrayal of Maggie Thatcher is screened at the movies in January. She’s hoping to visit the city to celebrate the opening of the £18m Metropolitan Arts Centre in the vibrant Cathedral Quarter. Four years ago, Meryl came to Belfast to raise funds for the MAC and to endorse the project, which was still in the planning stages then. She went to its forerunner, the Old Museum Arts Centre, to take part in a question and answer session with leading figures in the arts world here, and she even made a passable attempt at a Belfast accent. Streep also revealed that her family roots in Co Donegal had helped her “find” an Irish accent in a film version of Brian Friel’s play Dancing At Lughnasa. Anne McReynolds, the chief executive at the MAC, said yesterday that officials were keeping their fingers crossed that Streep could fit a return to Belfast into her busy schedule. “I stay in touch with her all the time and keep her up to speed on how the new building is progressing. She is very excited about it all. And she is totally passionate and committed to the MAC and its plans for the future. She completely gets the idea,” she said. “Meryl has been a great friend to the MAC and to Belfast.” The six-storey MAC building will include two theatres, three major visual art galleries, a dance studio, education, workshop and rehearsal spaces plus offices for resident arts groups. he new MAC is expected to attract upwards of 200,000 people every year.

After yesterday’s panel discussion, Meryl and Yo-Yo Ma participated in a Musical Dialogue. According to The New York Times, the night’s production was put together by Damian Woetzel, a former dancer and prominent dance producer, and it included much more than jookin and strings. Among those joining in onstage were Wu Tong, the sheng player, Brooklyn Rider and Meryl Streep, who did a dramatic reading in English while Mr. Ma played. One person involved in the logistics said Ms. Streep had actually practiced a Tang Dynasty poem in Chinese for the occasion, but had decided not to go ahead with reading it. Pictures from the musical dialogue have been added to the gallery.

A video transcript of Meryl’s appearance at the US-China Forum on the Arts and Culture Panel has been added to the video archive. Also, while being in Washington this week, Meryl talked with PBS’ To the Contrary about “The Iron Lady” and her support of the National Women’s History Museum. Edit: You can now watch the complete panel discussion, as two more parts have been added – here and here. Enjoy the clips!

Added more pictures of Meryl’s appearance at the De Pizan Honors Gala hosted by the National Women’s History Museum as well as today’s appearance at the US-China Forum on the Arts and Culture Panel.