Kate Winslet’s directorial debut Goodbye June has been written by her son Joe Anders
Goodbye June has just arrived in cinemas and represents Oscar-winning Kate Winslet’s first venture into directing. The picture presents a moving story about four grown-up siblings who reunite over Christmas when their mum’s condition worsens and they must care for their dad, reports the Express.
The film, enjoying a limited theatrical run, will debut worldwide on Netflix on Christmas Eve and features a stellar ensemble cast including Winslet, Helen Mirren, Timothy Spall, Andrea Riseborough, Toni Collette, and Johnny Flynn.
With the movie’s launch, audiences are wondering if Goodbye June draws from real events, given that the screenplay was penned by director Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, alongside details about Winslet’s other children. Here’s what you need to know.
Is Goodbye June based on a true story?
Yes, Goodbye June stems from actual events. Anders crafted the script after being assigned to create a screenplay during his studies at the National Film and Television School.
Students were instructed to pen “something from the heart” and Anders chose to explore a touching episode from his personal experience.
He revealed: “I lost my grandmother when I was 13 and I could never forget how wonderful and also odd it was that all the family were around her and together in sending her off in a peaceful way, at the end of her life.
“The family was able to give her a passing that she deserved, and it was sort of amazing. It really struck me how fortunate we were to have that with her, and how that’s almost never the case for so many people who have deeply complicated family ties where there is often arguing, conflict and grudges.
“I tried to write a story about how a family are pulled closer together through the loss and not pulled apart and destroyed by it. I wanted to tell the story of something that happens to us all. But I didn’t want it to be depressing, I wanted it to feel uplifting and cathartic in some way.”
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Who is Kate Winslet’s son?
Joe Anders is the offspring of Winslet from her second marriage to Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, known for his work on American Beauty, Skyfall, and Empire of Light.
Born Joe Alfie Winslet Mendes, he chose to go professionally by Joe Anders, a decision he made in 2022.
This British-American actor and writer, now 21, was born in New York City. He spent his childhood between America and the UK, but relocated to England in 2010 with his mother and older half-sister Mia Threapleton, following his parents’ split that same year.
Anders shares three half-siblings, including Threapleton, Bear Blaze from Winslet’s third marriage to businessman Edward Abel Smith, and a younger sister from his father’s second marriage to trumpet player Alison Balsom.
Before turning to writing, Anders made his acting debut in his father’s WWI epic 1917, playing the minor role of Private Willock.
He made an appearance in Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning drama I Am Ruth, playing the son and brother to his real-life mother and half-sister.
Anders has also graced the screen in Winslet’s film Lee, teen comedy Bonus Track and is set to feature in upcoming TV series Cape Fear and East of Eden.
Winslet has previously stood up for her son and daughter amidst criticism of nepotism for their roles in her projects.
The Titanic and Mare of Easttown star recently told BBC News: “I don’t like the nepo baby term because these kids are not getting a leg up.”
She shared: “You know, [Anders] would say to me, ‘I don’t want people to think that this film is just being made because you’re my mum.’ The film would have been made with or without me, the script is so, so good.
“And with Mia… I just try and say to my children, just follow your heart.”
She further added: “There are lots and lots of people in the world whose children go into a similar family business, whether it’s being a judge or a lawyer or a doctor.”
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Who are Kate Winslet’s children?
The Oscar-winning actress is a proud mother to three children. Her eldest is daughter Mia Honey Threapleton from her first marriage to filmmaker Jim Threapleton.
The 25 year old has followed her mother’s path and starred in I Am Ruth alongside Winslet, earning critical praise for the drama. She made her film debut in a non-speaking role in Winslet’s movie A Little Chaos back in 2014.
The rising star has since graced the small screen in TV series Dangerous Liaisons and Apple TV+’s popular period drama The Buccaneers, as well as making an appearance in the film The Phoenician Scheme.
As previously mentioned, Winslet’s second child is 21 year old screenwriter and actor Joe Anders, whose father is renowned director Sam Mendes.
Winslet’s youngest child is son Bear Blaze Winslet, whom she shares with her third husband and former businessman Edward Abel Smith.
Smith, who happens to be the nephew of business tycoon Richard Branson, was known as Ned RocknRoll from 2008 to 2019.
Born in December 2013, her youngest has stayed out of the limelight.
During an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Regime actress opened up about the unique name choice for her son.
She shared: “We were thinking about names during the pregnancy and actually I had never – when I was pregnant with Mia, when I was pregnant with Joe – I didn’t name them before they came out because I always felt like I had to see them and see who they’re going to be.
“Of course this time around, there’s Mia and Joe and the whole pregnancy is about what are we going to call the baby.”
She further revealed that they all agreed “quite early on” to name the baby Bear, inspired by a childhood friend who went by the nickname ‘Bear’.
The middle name ‘Blaze’ was chosen in remembrance of how Winslet and her husband first met – amidst a house fire.
Source: Mirror
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