Meryl Streep brings iron to the silver screen.
The two-time Oscar winner plays former British Prime Minister Maragaret Thatcher in the new film "The Iron Lady."
Streep depicts an aging Thatcher looking back on the highs and lows of her career and the personal price she paid for power.
The actress says playing the leader was a privilege.
SOUNDBITE: Meryl Streep, actress, saying (English):
"It was amazing, it was a privilege to look through the lens of such a well known figure and to follow the events of her life, certain ones of them, from a completely subjective, imaginary point of view."
Streep says the portrayal of Thatcher in her later years struck a personal chord.
SOUNDBITE: Meryl Streep, actress, saying (English):
"Since most of the film takes place when she was older, it circled issues of looking back, and aging, and living with diminished capacity, which I know something about, from my own parents. It was a very interesting journey and I hope one that will attract people's interest humanistically."
While the movie is generating early Oscar buzz, it's also attracting some controversy.
When details of the screenplay became public, Thatcher's children were quoted in the press as being "appalled" at the concept.
"The Iron Lady" hits theaters in January 2012.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.