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Angelina Jolie looks glam in a brown chiffon dress

Published 2 months ago on Aug 29, 2024

Angelina Jolie Dazzles at Venice Film Festival as She Promotes Her Latest Film 'Maria'

Angelina Jolie made a stunning entrance at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, exuding elegance and poise as she arrived at the historic Hotel Excelsior by boat. The Hollywood icon, now 49, is in Venice to promote her highly anticipated biographical drama, Maria, which is set to premiere Thursday evening.

Jolie, known for her impeccable sense of style, looked effortlessly demure in a brown chiffon gown from Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. The gown featured intricate criss-cross stitching in a diamond pattern across the waist, perfectly accentuating her figure. Complementing her look with matching heels and chic sunglasses, Jolie waved gracefully to her fans as she disembarked from the boat, embodying the essence of a leading lady.

A Tribute to a Legendary Voice

Maria, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Pablo Larraín, tells the compelling story of Maria Callas, one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century. The film, produced by Fremantle, explores the life and legacy of Callas, with Jolie taking on the titular role. The film also stars Valeria Golino as Callas' sister Yakinthi and Haluk Bilginer as the powerful shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who was one of Callas' most famous lovers.

Jolie, who has a history of portraying real-life figures on screen, spoke passionately about the responsibility she feels in bringing Callas' story to life. "I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria's life and legacy," Jolie said in a statement. "I will give all I can to meet the challenge." This dedication to authenticity is evident in her portrayal, as she dons some of Callas' actual clothing in the film, including vintage fur pieces from the renowned Massimo Cantini Parrini’s archive collection.

A Reunion with Acclaimed Director Pablo Larraín

Maria marks a reunion between Jolie and Pablo Larraín, a director known for his masterful handling of biographical dramas. Larraín previously directed Jackie (2016), a film about Jackie Kennedy starring Natalie Portman, and Spencer (2021), which explored the life of Princess Diana with Kristen Stewart in the lead role. His unique approach to storytelling, combined with Jolie's powerful on-screen presence, makes Maria one of the most anticipated films of the year.

Larraín expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting the personal significance it holds for him. "Having the chance to combine my two most deep and personal passions, cinema and opera, has been a long-awaited dream," he said. "To do this with Angelina, a supremely brave and curious artist, is a fascinating opportunity. A true gift."

The film's screenplay, written by Steven Knight, was completed prior to Hollywood’s Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike and received a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, allowing the production to proceed without interruption.

The Life and Legacy of Maria Callas

Maria Callas, born in 1923, was an American opera singer of Greek heritage who became one of the most iconic voices of her time. Trained in Greece and Italy, Callas was not only renowned for her extraordinary vocal abilities but also for her striking beauty and the intense passions that marked her personal life. Her tumultuous romances, particularly her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, and her fierce rivalry with Italian opera singer Renata Tebaldi, are legendary.

Callas' life was as dramatic as the operas she performed, with her career often overshadowed by her personal struggles. The film Maria delves into these complexities, offering a deep and nuanced portrayal of the woman behind the voice. The narrative will explore Callas' rise to fame, her tumultuous personal relationships, and the tragic circumstances that led to her untimely death in Paris in 1977, where she lived her final years in relative seclusion, nearly blind from vision problems.

A Legacy of Portraying Iconic Figures

Angelina Jolie is no stranger to taking on roles that require a deep dive into the lives of real people. In 1998, she portrayed the tragic supermodel Gia Carangi in the HBO film Gia, a role that earned her critical acclaim. She followed this with a portrayal of Mariane Pearl, the widow of journalist Daniel Pearl, in the 2007 film A Mighty Heart. Jolie’s ability to capture the essence of these real-life figures has made her one of Hollywood's most respected actresses.

With Maria, Jolie once again steps into the shoes of an iconic woman, bringing her own blend of intensity and grace to the role. Her collaboration with Larraín and the opportunity to wear Callas' actual clothing adds a layer of authenticity to the portrayal, making this project a true labor of love for the actress.

A Film That Almost Wasn't

The story of Maria Callas has long captivated filmmakers. Faye Dunaway once pursued a passion project to portray Callas, even offering to fund the film herself, but the project never materialized. Similarly, in 2014, there were reports that Meryl Streep was set to star as Callas in Master Class, directed by Mike Nichols, but that too did not come to fruition.

Now, with Maria, the legendary singer's story is finally being told on the big screen, with Angelina Jolie at the helm. As the Venice Film Festival prepares to unveil this much-anticipated film, fans and critics alike are eager to see how Jolie and Larraín have brought the enigmatic life of Maria Callas to the screen. The film promises to be a poignant and powerful tribute to a woman whose voice and legacy continue to resonate around the world.

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