Angelina Jolie is having a major operatic moment!
On Thursday, the Venice International Film Festival was buzzing with excitement as Angelina Jolie made a grand entrance for the world premiere of her latest film, Maria. This biopic is a deep dive into the final, isolated days of the iconic Maria Callas, an American-born Greek soprano whose career was a beacon of 20th-century opera. Born Maria Kalogeropoulos in Queens, New York, Callas started her journey as a teenager in Athens, Greece. Jolie, who stars as Callas, opened up to The Associated Press about her profound connection to the role. “I felt such a privilege to feel like I got to know this woman and be inside her skin for a moment. I really care for her deeply,” Jolie shared. “I think I’ll carry that like a friend.”
Jolie's portrayal captures a private side of Callas that the public rarely saw. “When I put on her big glasses, Greek hair, and sat in my little robe as an older lady, I felt a side of Maria that was intimate and hidden from the world,” Jolie explained. “I connected with her first and loved her.”
The film, directed by the acclaimed Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, is set in Paris, 1977, the period leading up to Callas' tragic death from a heart attack at 53. The premiere in Venice marks Larraín’s continuation of his exploration of historical female figures. He previously brought Jackie to the festival in 2016, featuring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy in the aftermath of JFK's assassination. Larraín's Spencer, starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, followed in 2021. “There’s something about people like Maria Callas, and also Angelina Jolie—these women have a physical presence on stage, in front of a camera, or even in a room. You feel the immense humanity they carry,” Larraín said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Angie naturally embodied that weight as Maria Callas.”
To prepare for the role, Jolie undertook months of intense training, working with professional opera singers and coaches to capture the essence of Callas' voice and stage presence. The film blends Jolie’s vocals with Callas' renowned performances, showcasing the depth of her dedication. Jolie practiced challenging Italian operas and arias, often in front of hundreds of crew members. “My first days were more intimate, with fewer crew members,” Jolie recounted. “We eventually moved to La Scala with everyone there. It was nerve-wracking, and this was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I was terrified.” Despite the grueling training, Jolie described learning opera as “the therapy I didn’t realize I needed.”
Jolie revealed that she never had a strong connection to opera in her younger years. “I was more into punk rock. I loved all music, but I probably listened to The Clash more than most.” However, life’s ups and downs eventually drew her to opera and classical music. “When you’ve experienced a lot, including despair, pain, and love, certain sounds start to resonate with those feelings,” she said. Jolie's insights reflect the personal challenges she’s faced, including ongoing legal battles with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt.
In 2022, reports surfaced about Jolie’s 2016 FBI filing, alleging physical abuse by Pitt during a private plane flight. Variety detailed accusations that Pitt “choked one of the children and struck another in the face” and “grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her.” Pitt then sued Jolie over the sale of their French winery, which Jolie countered with a lawsuit related to the plane incident. An April report highlighted that the abuse Pitt inflicted on Jolie began before the 2016 flight but escalated to include the children during that trip. Jolie left him immediately afterward.
When asked how she relates to Callas, Jolie shared, “Well, there’s a lot I won’t say, which you probably know or assume. The way I connected with her might be surprising—it's the part of her that’s extremely soft and emotionally open, despite the world’s demands. I relate to her vulnerability more than anything.”
Jolie’s role in Maria not only marks a significant chapter in her career but also highlights her extraordinary commitment and personal connection to the character. Her journey from punk rock enthusiast to opera performer demonstrates the profound impact that art and personal experiences can have on one’s life.
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