In 2013 , Dench starred as the title character in the Stephen Frears-directed film , '' Philomena '' , a film inspired by true events of a woman looking for the son which the Catholic Church took from her a half-century before . The film was screened in the main competition section at the 70th Venice International Film Festival , where it was very favorably received by critics . On Dench 's performance , '' The Times '' commented that " this is Dench 's triumph . At 78 , she has a golden career behind her , often as queens and other frosty matriarchs . So the warmth under pressure she radiates here is nearly a surprise ... Dench gives a performance of grace , nuance , and cinematic heroism . " She was subsequently nominated for many major acting awards , including a seventh Oscar nomination
70th Venice International Film Festival
70th Venice International Film Festival
Judi Dench