VENICE, Italy (AP) — Angelina Jolie is known for portraying a variety of complex characters, including an evil queen, a war correspondent, a hacker, an international spy, and a sociopath. Now, she is stepping into the role of an opera singer.
But this isn’t just any opera singer: Jolie takes on the iconic soprano Maria Callas in a new film directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín. Titled “Maria,” the film is set to have its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday night.
Larraín has a knack for delving into the lives of famous women who have faced tragic circumstances. For example, he presented his film “Jackie” at the festival in 2016, showcasing Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy dealing with the aftermath of her husband’s assassination. In 2021, he returned with “Spencer,” featuring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana grappling with the prospect of divorce during the Christmas holiday. Both of these films earned their leading actresses nominations for the coveted Oscar award for best actress.
“Maria” serves as a conclusion to Larraín’s trilogy focused on historical women, although Callas may not be as familiar to younger audiences who didn’t experience her era of fame and scandal. Maria Callas, originally named Maria Kalogeropoulos, was born to Greek parents in New York and made her professional opera debut in Athens when she was just 17.
Despite her relatively short life, Callas became one of the greatest opera singers in history, renowned for her extraordinary voice and commanding stage presence. However, her success came with a price—she was frequently scrutinized by the public for her demanding personality, appearance, and romantic relationships. One of her most notable relationships was with shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, who famously left her for Jacqueline Kennedy.
Callas passed away at the age of 53 in Paris due to a heart attack.
Larraín revealed to Vanity Fair that Jolie trained for six months in preparation for her role. The film, which focuses on Callas’s final week in 1977, features a combination of Jolie’s performance and the actual voice of Callas.
Jolie has received two nominations for acting Oscars in the past. She won her first for her supporting role in “Girl, Interrupted” and received her most recent nomination for her lead role in Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling.”
“Maria” has recently been picked up by Netflix for distribution.
Jolie is expected to leave Venice before her ex-husband Brad Pitt arrives to premiere his film “Wolfs” on Sunday. Although they have been legally single since 2019, they are still in the midst of disputes over child custody, finances, and a winery in France.
“Maria” is competing among 21 films for the festival’s awards, which will be announced on September 7.
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For more updates on the 2024 Venice Film Festival, visit https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival.
