VENICE, Italy (AP) 鈥� Angelina Jolie has played an evil queen, a war correspondent, a hacker, an international spy and a sociopath and is now adding opera singer to her resume.
It鈥檚 not just any opera singer either: Jolie stars as the legendary soprano Maria Callas in a new film from Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larra铆n. 鈥淢aria鈥� will have its world premiere in competition at the Thursday night.
Larra铆n, a Venice regular, continues his to explore the lives of very famous women with tragic narratives attached to them. In 2016, he came to the festival with his Jackie Kennedy portrait, 鈥淛ackie,鈥� starring Natalie Portman as the first lady in the aftermath of her husband鈥檚 assassination. In 2021, he returned with Kristen Stewart playing Princess Diana as she considered divorce over the Christmas holiday in 鈥淪pencer.鈥� Both films earned their leads best actress nominations.
鈥淢aria鈥� is the so-called conclusion to this trilogy of historical women, though Callas may be a bit less known to younger generations who weren鈥檛 around for the headlines and scandals. Born Maria Kalogeropoulos, to Greek parents in New York and made her professional debut in Athens as a 17-year-old.
During her brief life she became one of the greatest opera singers of all time with her unparalleled voice and stage presence; but the accolades also came with the intense scrutiny of her life in the public eye, whether it was her exacting demands and 鈥渄iva鈥� behavior, her weight or her romantic life. Callas famously had a relationship with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis who left her for Jackie Kennedy.
She died in Paris at age 53 after a heart attack.
Larra铆n told Vanity Fair that trained for six months to prepare for the role. The singing in the film, which reportedly focuses on the final week of her life in 1977, is a blend of actor and the real thing.
Jolie has twice been nominated for acting Oscars. She won for her supporting role in 鈥淕irl, Interrupted," and was last nominated for her leading role in Clint Eastwood's 鈥淐hangeling."
鈥淢aria鈥� was recently acquired by Netflix for distribution.
Jolie is expecte to depart Venice arrives for the premiere of his film 鈥淲olfs鈥� on Sunday. Though legally single since 2019, they are still fighting over issues like custody, finances and a winery in France.
鈥淢aria鈥� is among the 21 features which will be announced on Sept. 7.
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Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
