Angelina Jolie received a thunderous, eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival after the world premiere of Pablo Larraín's "Maria." The reception moved the Oscar-winning actress to tears and left her reflecting on the legacy of Maria Callas, the opera diva she brings so thrillingly to life on screen.
Angelina Jolie on Honoring Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's Biopic at the Venice Film Festival
“I was thinking about her a lot in that moment,” Jolie said during an interview at the Telluride Film Festival, where “Maria” screened last week. “It’s strange when you feel so close to this real human being. I know that applause was life for her. Often as artists, we don’t know if our work is going to resonate, or we don’t expect kindness. You walk away expecting not to be supported or not to connect. But ‘Maria’ did.”
“Maria” is part of Larraín’s trilogy of iconic, often misunderstood women, which began with 2016’s “Jackie,” starring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, and 2021’s “Spencer,” starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. Both actresses were nominated for Oscars for their roles, and Jolie looks set to continue that streak, given the critical acclaim she’s received. It helps that “Maria” is perhaps the strongest entry in Larraín’s series, with a compelling script from Oscar nominee Steven Knight (“Dirty Pretty Things”) that chronicles Callas’ final days and shows the human side of a legend. Netflix has picked up the film and is planning an awards season push.
Jolie and Larrain clearly respect and love each other. At one point, Jolie tries to convince Larrain to sing opera. "I haven't heard you sing. You owe me this," she tells her director.
