Pablo Larraíin and Angelina Jolie Stefania D’Alessandro/WireImage
On Thursday night, Angelina Jolie found herself deeply moved during the world premiere of Maria at the Venice Film Festival. The audience at Sala Grande gave an eight-minute standing ovation for her performance as Maria Callas, the legendary opera singer. The emotional reaction left Jolie in tears, a moment that captured the essence of her dedication to the role.
The Venice Film Festival is known for celebrating the best in cinema, and this year, Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas was a highlight. The standing ovation was a sign of admiration and respect from the audience. This was no ordinary applause; it was electric, filled with emotion, and lasted for an impressive eight minutes. Jolie, overwhelmed by the moment, couldn’t hold back her tears.
Earlier that week, Maria had made headlines when Netflix announced it had secured the U.S. distribution rights for the film. Director Pablo Larraín expressed his excitement about the partnership, calling Maria his most personal work to date. The film is a creative imagining of Callas’ final days in 1970s Paris, focusing on her emotional journey to find her own identity after years of performing for others. It’s not just about the opera singer’s career but about her struggle to sing for herself, to reclaim her voice.
Jolie, in her first public comments about the role, spoke during a press conference on Thursday afternoon, just hours before the premiere. She shared that preparing for the role took around seven months of intense work. Jolie worked closely with opera singers and coaches to learn the techniques required to portray Callas authentically. This included mastering the posture, breathing, and physicality of an opera singer.
For Jolie, this process wasn’t just about the technicalities of singing but a deeply personal journey. She described it as a form of therapy that helped her release emotions she didn’t know she was holding in. Jolie explained, “I had no idea how much I was holding in and not letting out. The challenge wasn’t technical—it was emotional.” She went on to say that playing Callas allowed her to find her own voice and express herself in ways she hadn’t before.
When asked what aspect of Callas she connected with the most, Jolie revealed that it was the singer’s vulnerability. Despite Callas’ fame and strength on stage, Jolie saw a softness in her that wasn’t always allowed to shine. “I share her vulnerability more than anything,” Jolie said, adding that she felt a deep connection to the emotional openness that Callas struggled to express in her own life.
Maria is based on true accounts and is set during the final days of Callas’ life in Paris. The film is a tragic tale of a woman who had dedicated her life to her art, only to spend her last days searching for herself. The screenplay was written by Steven Knight and features a talented cast, including Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Valeria Golino. The film was produced by Juan de Dios Larraín, Jonas Dornbach, and Lorenzo Mieli, with companies such as Fabula and Komplizen Film backing the project.
Jolie’s appearance at the Venice Film Festival marked her return to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, sharing the stage with other A-list celebrities. This year’s festival saw a significant number of big names attending, including George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Tilda Swinton, Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, and Jude Law. Even Jolie’s ex-husband, Brad Pitt, was in attendance, adding to the star power at the event.
The Venice Film Festival has always been a platform for showcasing groundbreaking films and unforgettable performances. This year, Jolie’s role in Maria was one of the most talked-about moments. The emotional standing ovation she received was a testament to her ability to dive deep into the character of Maria Callas and bring her story to life in a way that touched the hearts of those watching.
As the festival continues, the buzz around Maria is expected to grow. Jolie’s portrayal of the opera star, combined with Larraín’s direction, has already made waves, and it’s likely that this film will be a major contender in the upcoming awards season. For now, Jolie’s tearful reaction to the standing ovation is a reminder of the powerful connection between an actor and their audience—one that transcends words and moves straight to the heart.
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