Maria is a 2024 biographical psychological drama film about opera singer Maria Callas. It is directed by Pablo Larraín, written by Steven Knight, produced by Fremantle.[2] The film stars Angelina Jolie in the title role, with Valeria Golino as her sister Yakinthi, and Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis. It is the third and final film in Larraín’s trilogy of 20th century “iconic women”, succeeding Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion.[3]
Premise[]
The film is reportedly set during Callas' final years in the 1970s when she was living in Paris.[4]
Cast[]
- Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas
- Aggelina Papadopoulou as young Maria Callas
- Valeria Golino as Yakinthi Callas
- Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis
- Alba Rohrwacher as Bruna
- Pierfrancesco Favino as Ferruccio
- Kodi Smit-McPhee as Mandrax
- Alessandro Bressanello as Giovanni Battista Meneghini
Production[]
Pablo Larraín signed on to direct, working from a script by Steven Knight. The film is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company, and Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film.[5] Angelina Jolie came aboard the project as the eponymous Maria in October 2022.[6]
Filming got underway in Budapest in October 2023 with other filming locations including Paris, Greece and Milan. Some material was also filmed at the La Scala opera house. Beforehand, Production Designer Guy Hendrix Dyas worked with Pablo Larraín on the visual concept, helping fuse the 1940 to 1970s style with the surreal musical sequences. According to the film's producers, no new fur was sourced for Jolie's garments which are based on Callas' original garments, with consultation with animal rights groups such as PETA regarding vintage fur items worn in the film from the archive collection of costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini.[7][8]
To prepare for her role, Jolie spent seven months training to sing opera.[9] The scenes set during Callas' heyday, an estimated 90 to 95 percent of Callas' original recordings were used, with Jolie lip-synching along to these songs. However, Jolie's singing comes to the fore during the film's final act.[10][11]
Reception[]
Rotten Tomatoes reports a 74% approval rating from 43 critics, with an average rating of 6.60/10.[12] Template:Metacritic film prose
The film received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande Theatre during its world premiere, reducing Angelina Jolie to tears.[13][14]
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ntim, Zac (30 August 2024). Pablo Larraín & Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' Sells Worldwide Following Buzzy Venice Debut.
- ↑ Gonzalez, Umberto (2024-08-28). Netflix Acquires Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' From Director Pablo Larraín for US Distribution (in en-US).
- ↑ Biennale Cinema 2024 | Maria (in en) (2024-07-09).
- ↑ Shaw Roberts, Maddy (2 October 2023). Angelina Jolie to star as legendary Greek operatic soprano Maria Callas in new musical biopic.
- ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (May 10, 2023). Maria Callas Biopic Starring Angelina Jolie Heads To Cannes Market With FilmNation.
- ↑ Ritman, Alex (21 October 2022). Angelina Jolie to Play Maria Callas in Next Biopic From Pablo Larrain.
- ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (5 October 2023). Valeria Golino Joins Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas' Sister in Pablo Larraín's Biopic.
- ↑ Ritman, Alex (9 October 2023). First Images of Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas Unveiled as Pablo Larrain's Biopic 'Maria' Begins Shooting.
- ↑ Angelina Jolie Spent ‘Almost Seven Months’ Training to Sing Opera in ‘Maria’: ‘I Had Not Sung in Public’ Before and ‘Was Terribly Nervous’. Variety.
- ↑ Canfield, David (August 23, 2024). In Maria, Angelina Jolie and Pablo Larraín Bring an Opera Icon to Staggering Life.
- ↑ Gleiberman, Owen (August 29, 2024). Maria Review: Angelina Jolie Is Commanding as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Lavish but Overly Fatalistic Drama. Variety.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Wd". Maria (in en). Fandango Media.
- ↑ Angelina Jolie Weeps Through Rapturous 8-Minute Venice Standing Ovation for ‘Maria,’ Launching Oscar Buzz (in en-US) (2024-08-29).
- ↑ Rosenbloom, Alli (August 29, 2024). Angelina Jolie moved to tears during ‘Maria’ standing ovation at Venice Film Festival. CNN.