Angelina Jolie Connects Deeply with Maria Callas in New Biopic, Shares Insights on Loneliness and Dedication
Angelina Jolie recently opened up about the profound connection she feels with Maria Callas, the legendary opera singer she portrays in the upcoming biopic Maria. At the American Film Institute Festival premiere of the film in Hollywood on October 26, Jolie shared that she and Callas share a “certain loneliness” that stems from their intense dedication to their work.
Jolie, 49, revealed that playing Callas allowed her to reflect on her own experiences as a performer and a hard worker. “I don’t want to speak too much about it because it’s too personal,” Jolie said, “but there’s definitely a loneliness and a work ethic.” She emphasized that, despite any imperfections, both she and Callas are relentless in their work. “I may be many things, but I’m a very hard worker, right?” she added, underscoring the parallels between herself and the renowned opera singer.
The Oscar-winning actress explained that she doesn’t believe either she or Callas would define themselves as anything other than performers and workers. She noted that they are both “probably very hard on ourselves,” a trait that, while demanding, has also driven their artistic success.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, the filmmaker behind Jackie and Spencer, Maria explores the life of the American-Greek soprano during her retreat to Paris, after having led a glamorous yet tumultuous life in the public eye. Maria Callas, whose powerful voice and dramatic performances left an indelible mark on the opera world, died in Paris in 1977 at the age of 53 due to a heart attack.
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Callas has already been met with critical acclaim. The film received a standing ovation at its premiere at the New York Film Festival in September, signaling a promising reception for the actress’s latest role. At the festival, Jolie expressed her gratitude for being part of the project, saying on stage, “I’m so happy to be here tonight. And I’m so happy to share this stage with these extremely talented, wonderful people and my dear friends.”
The film also features an ensemble cast that includes Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Valeria Golino. Jolie spoke about the team’s commitment to honoring the real-life figures they portray, emphasizing that the cast and crew deeply cared about bringing these stories to life. “I hope you see in this film how much we really care for the people whose lives we’re sharing with you and how much they also loved art,” Jolie shared.
Maria is set to be released in select theaters on November 27, before becoming available for streaming on Netflix on December 11. This much-anticipated biopic promises to offer an intimate glimpse into the life of one of the most iconic opera singers of all time, brought to life by one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors.
