Kate Winslet on the model-turned-war correspondent that inspired her latest film

From the glossy pages of fashion magazines to the front line during World War II, Elizabeth "Lee" Miller swapped life in front of the camera for one behind it.

Breaking barriers in more ways than one, the American photographer's story is one that has for decades fascinated audiences across the globe.

And none more so than Academy award-winning actress Kate Winslet.

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Engrossed in the life story of the pioneering female photojournalist, the English actress embarked on an almost-decade-long project to co-produce and star in a blockbuster biopic about Miller's life.

"That's why I wanted to make the film - because I knew who Lee Miller was, but I didn't know what I now know about her as a woman and what she did and the courage that she had," Winslet told A Current Affair.

"I knew of her photographic work, but I didn't know anything about the length that she went to to get permission as a female photographer to go into Europe and to document what was happening on the front line, revealing the truth of the Nazi regime.

"For the female readers of British Vogue, it's extraordinary that she did that."

Lee follows a pivotal decade in the Vogue model's life, working as an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II.

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As the film prepares to hit Aussie cinemas later this week, Winslet spoke to A Current Affair host Ally Langdon about her determination to carry on Miller's legacy.

"[Miller] just kept going to be that visual voice for the victims of conflict and to make sure that their stories weren't forgotten ... and she's the most inspiring person I've ever played," Winslet said.

"It's been such a large part of my life for the last decade developing the film for seven years before actually shooting it, and then we were delayed in releasing because of the actors strike.

"And now it's nine years since the very, very beginning in 2015 and even when I look at the poster, I'm like, OK, I don't have to keep making the film."

Watch the full video in the player above.