On the second day of the Venice Film Festival, all eyes were on Angelina Jolie. The actress arrived at the Lido to present “Maria,” a biopic about the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, a role Jolie takes on to explore both the remarkable artistic journey and the tumultuous personal life of the iconic diva. The film’s premiere elicited a standing ovation lasting nearly ten minutes, with videos capturing Jolie visibly moved by the audience’s reaction. Pierfrancesco Favino, who plays Callas’s butler in the film, provided support and comfort to the emotional star.
In her remarks, Jolie shared the depth of her commitment to the role: “I devoted myself entirely to this film. I spent seven months learning from scratch with discipline and dedication. I practiced initially in a small room with Pablo Larrain and my children, and then in a larger setting at La Scala in Milan. My biggest concern was passing the music test and not disappointing Callas’s fans and opera lovers—living up to their expectations.”
Director Pablo Larrain, known for his work on Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana, completed his trilogy with “Maria,” focusing on another great female figure. Larrain explained, “We celebrate the greatest opera singer of all time, whose life was as fascinating as it was troubled. We revisit her story through her last days, her solitude, and her despair witho
