Angelina Jolie’s emotional night at the Venice Film Festival
A night to remember
The Venice Film Festival is known for its glamorous red carpet moments and heartfelt ovations, and this year was no exception. Angelina Jolie stole the spotlight on Thursday night at the Sala Grande Theatre during the premiere of Maria, a biographical drama directed by Pablo Larraín about the legendary Greek opera singer Maria Callas. The actress was visibly moved, shedding tears during an eight-minute standing ovation that echoed the emotional reception Brendan Fraser received for The Whale in 2022.
A star’s heartfelt reaction
Jolie’s emotional response was palpable. Overwhelmed by the audience’s applause, she wiped away tears and occasionally turned her face away from the cheering crowd. She embraced Larraín and the cast, signaling the film’s potential as an Oscar contender. This could mark Jolie’s return to the Oscars, potentially earning her a nomination for Best Actress, her first since 2009. She previously won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Girl, Interrupted.
The anticipation builds
The excitement for Jolie’s appearance began well before the screening. Fans camped out overnight, braving the heat with tents and umbrellas, eager to catch a glimpse of the star. When Jolie arrived, she graciously signed autographs and took selfies, even kneeling beside a fan with ALS who had been transported to the carpet on a bed.
The making of Maria
Maria reunites Larraín with writer Steven Knight, who previously collaborated on Spencer. The film delves into the tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic life of Maria Callas, reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris. On the eve of its premiere, it was announced that Netflix had acquired U.S. distribution rights for the film.
During a press conference earlier in the day, Jolie spoke about the challenges of preparing for the role, which required her to sing opera for the first time. “I was terribly nervous,” she admitted. “I spent almost seven months training because when you work with Pablo, you can’t do anything by half. He demands, in the most wonderful way, that you really do the work and you really learn and train.”
A stellar cast
Alongside Jolie, Maria features an impressive cast, including Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Stephen Ashfield, and Valeria Golino. The film promises to be a poignant exploration of Callas’s life, capturing her struggles and triumphs.
The legacy of Maria Callas
Maria Callas, born in Manhattan to Greek parents, became one of the most famous opera singers of the 20th century. She received her opera training in Greece at the age of 13 and later moved to Italy to further her career. Despite her immense talent, Callas faced numerous personal and professional challenges, including near-sightedness that left her nearly blind and multiple scandals. She had a well-known rivalry with Italian opera singer Renata Tebaldi and an affair with Aristotle Onassis, who later married Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the subject of Larraín’s film Jackie.
A director’s vision
“Maria Callas, the greatest opera singer of all time, undoubtedly had a most unique, beautiful, and tormented life,” Larraín said in his director’s statement. “This is the story of her last days, a celebration depicted through memories, friends, and, most importantly, her singing.”
A career-defining moment
Callas’s career truly took off in Venice in 1949. Already performing the role of Brünnhilde in Die Walküre, she was suddenly called upon to sing the part of Elvira in I Puritani after Margherita Carosio fell ill. This remarkable feat was described by London Opera Society founder Michael Scott as “folie de grandeur,” highlighting Callas’s extraordinary talent and versatility.
The Jolie-Pitt speculation
There had been online speculation about whether Jolie would cross paths with her ex-husband Brad Pitt, who also has a film in the lineup (Wolfs, alongside George Clooney). However, festival director Alberto Barbera quashed any rumors, noting that their appearances had been spaced apart, with Jolie leaving after the Maria premiere and Pitt arriving two days later. “There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido,” Barbera said.
Experience the magic
For those eager to dive deeper into the world of Maria, you can watch the trailer and explore more about the film. This Venice Film Festival moment is sure to be remembered as a highlight in Jolie’s illustrious career, and Maria promises to be a cinematic experience that resonates with audiences worldwide.