Angelina Jolie’s new film about Maria Callas premieres at Venice
Angelina Jolie’s latest film had its world premiere today at the Venice film festival.
The Academy Award-winning actor stars in the lead role of the biopic of Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th Century. Shortly before the event this week, Netflix announced that it has acquired US rights to the film for its streaming platform.
What is it about?
The film imagines the last days of the singer’s life before her premature death in Paris at the age of 53 following a heart attack.
Director Pablo Larrain described the film as:
“ A creative imagining and psychological portrait of Maria Callas, one of the greatest opera singers of all time, during her final days in 1970s Paris. Callas, whose life spanned from the 1920s to the ’70s, was famous for her incredible voice — the film looks at a period in her life when she had lost her voice, and tries to regain it. After dedicating her life to audiences around the world, she “decides finally to find her own voice, her own identity, and sing for herself.”
Watch the teaser trailer here:
Who is in the cast?
Angelina Jolie is joined by Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog), Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (The Count of Monte Cristo) and Valeria Golino (Rainman, Portrait of a Lady on Fire).
Who is behind it?
The film was directed by Chilean director Pable Larrain (Jackie, Spencer, No Neruda), from a script written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Spencer). It is the second time that Larrian and Knight have worked together, the first being their successful collaboration on the Oscar-Nominated film Spencer.
Larraín says,
“Maria Callas, the greatest opera singer of all time, undoubtedly had a most unique, beautiful, and tormented life. This is the story of her last days, a celebration depicted through memories, friends, and, most importantly, her singing,” “I’m excited to partner again with the Netflix team who care so passionately about movies. This film is my most personal work yet. I’m deeply honored to tell this story and share it with audiences.”
When will it be released?
It will be available on Netflix later this year, but the date has not been confirmed yet.