Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s ‘Maria’ received a rapturous reception at the 81st Venice Film Festival, with an emotional 8-10 minute standing ovation following its world premiere. The film, which chronicles Callas’ tumultuous final days in 1970s Paris, marks the conclusion of Larraín’s trilogy on iconic women, following ‘Jackie’ and ‘Spencer’.Jolie, who underwent an intense seven-month preparation for the role, including vocal training, was visibly moved by the audience’s reaction. ‘I had no idea how much I was holding in and not letting out,’ Jolie confessed, reflecting on the emotional experience of embodying Callas. The actress revealed a surprising personal connection to the opera diva, stating, ‘I share her vulnerability more than anything else’.The film has already generated significant buzz, with Netflix acquiring the distribution rights. Larraín praised Jolie’s performance, saying, ‘Of course, this movie wouldn’t exist without Angelina’. The director sees ‘Maria’ as an opportunity to combine his passions for cinema and opera, calling it ‘a long-awaited dream’.On the red carpet, Jolie stunned in a vintage-inspired Versace gown, paying homage to Callas with a nude-colored, draped dress and a matching fur stole, accessorized with a gold brooch. The actress engaged warmly with fans, even kneeling to speak with a fan in a wheelchair.Despite the film’s success, the festival has carefully managed appearances to avoid any overlap between Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt, who is set to arrive later for his own film. This scheduling demonstrates the festival’s ability to navigate complex Hollywood relationships while celebrating cinematic achievements.
Key points
- Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas in ‘Maria’ received an 8-10 minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
- Jolie underwent seven months of intense preparation for the role, including vocal training.
- The film is the final part of Pablo Larraín’s trilogy on iconic women, following ‘Jackie’ and ‘Spencer’.
- Netflix has acquired the distribution rights for ‘Maria’, though a release date hasn’t been announced.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported length of the standing ovation, with some sources citing 8 minutes and others reporting 10 minutes.
