Venice Film Festival to Host Angelina Jolie and Her New Film ‘Maria’

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Angelina Jolie, known for her diverse roles ranging from an evil queen to an international spy, is now taking on the role of a legendary opera singer. Jolie is starring as Maria Callas, the renowned soprano, in a new film directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín. Titled “Maria,” the film will have its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival.

Larraín is no stranger to portraying the lives of iconic women with tragic stories. In 2016, he presented “Jackie” at the festival, a film about Jackie Kennedy, with Natalie Portman as the lead. The movie depicted the First Lady in the days following her husband’s assassination and earned Portman an Oscar nomination. In 2021, Larraín returned with “Spencer,” starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana during a Christmas holiday when she was considering divorce. Stewart also received a best actress Oscar nomination for her performance.

“Maria” is considered the final installment in this trilogy of historical women. Unlike Jackie Kennedy or Princess Diana, Maria Callas may be less familiar to younger audiences. Born Maria Kalogeropoulos to Greek parents in New York, Callas made her professional debut in Athens at the age of 17. She is celebrated as one of the greatest opera singers of all time, known for her exceptional voice and stage presence.

However, Callas’s life was often scrutinized by the public, whether it was her demanding nature, her weight, or her romantic relationships. She had a famously tumultuous relationship with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who eventually left her for Jackie Kennedy. Callas passed away in Paris at the age of 53 due to a heart attack.

To prepare for this challenging role, Jolie trained for six months. The singing in the film is a blend of her own voice and recordings of the real Maria Callas. Jolie has previously been nominated for two acting Oscars, winning for her supporting role in “Girl, Interrupted” and receiving another nomination for her leading role in Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling.”

Netflix has recently acquired “Maria” for distribution, adding another high-profile film to its roster. Jolie is expected to leave Venice before her ex-husband Brad Pitt arrives for the premiere of his film “Wolfs.” Although legally single since 2019, Jolie and Pitt are still embroiled in legal battles over issues like custody, finances, and a winery in France.

“Maria” is among the 21 features contending for the festival’s awards, which will be announced on September 7.

Source: AP News