Angelina Jolie, who plays Maria Callas in the upcoming film ‘Maria,’ opened up about her personal connection to the legendary opera singer during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival. When asked about her personal connection to Callas, Jolie responded, “I think you might have some thoughts about it, but I won’t say much here.” She continued, “The connection I feel to her might be different from what you imagine. She had a very soft and gentle side, with a great deal of sensitivity, but the world didn’t accept that side of her, her soft, emotional, open nature. Most of all, her fragility is the same as mine.”
Callas, hailed as one of the greatest opera singers of all time for her technical prowess and expressive power, was also a figure of tragedy, her private life subject to much scrutiny, her death shrouded in mystery. Director Pablo Larraín, known for his films about iconic figures like Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’ (2021) and Jacqueline Kennedy in ‘Jackie’ (2016), is reimagining Callas’s legacy in ‘Maria’ by focusing on her final days in Paris in the 1970s. The screenplay was penned by Steven Knight, who collaborated with Larraín on ‘Spencer’.
In the press conference, Angelina Jolie acknowledged the anticipation surrounding the film’s potential for awards recognition. However, she emphasized that she was more concerned with the reactions of Callas’s fans and opera enthusiasts. “I am afraid of disappointing them. But of course, I would be very grateful if you could appreciate my work in other ways.” She added, “Opera is a powerful art form, it’s very important. By exploring it, you can influence and inspire people.” Jolie expressed her hope that the film would spark a renewed interest in opera.
Netflix has secured the distribution rights for ‘Maria,’ but a release date has yet to be announced.
