The American actress Angelina Jolie portrays the famous soprano Maria Callas in the new biopic by Chilean Pablo Larraín. In an interview, Jolie confessed that she would have liked to be friends with the Greek prima donna due to the loneliness they both share. The film, titled 'Maria', explores the tormented life of 'La Callas' across several acts and an epilogue, using the singer's delirium with Mandrax to delve into her intimacy.
In 'Maria', Jolie brings Callas to life in her final years in Paris during the 1970s. The film offers a more intimate account of the woman behind the legend, revealing her highs and lows. The actress admits to having felt a connection with Callas' loneliness during the character preparation. She also shared that her best teacher was Maria herself, following the singer's methodology of reserving emotional aspects until the last moment.
The collaboration between Jolie and Larraín was significant in shaping the vision of the film. The director highlights the actress's ability to maintain the mystery surrounding Maria Callas throughout the nearly two-hour feature. 'Maria' was presented at the London Film Festival and marks the conclusion of Larraín's trilogy of women's stories, which includes 'Jackie' and 'Spencer'.
The film is considered a metafilm in itself, relying on the intelligence and sensitivity of the audience to piece together the story of Maria Callas. 'Maria' will hit screens in early 2025 and reflects a more human and vulnerable facet of the legendary opera diva.
