Angelina Jolie’s much-anticipated portrayal of legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s film “Maria” is poised to make a significant impact during the upcoming fall awards season. The film, which has garnered critical acclaim, will debut in U.S. theaters on November 27, followed by its streaming release on Netflix on December 11.
The movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received an impressive eight-minute standing ovation at the prestigious Sala Grande Theatre. The emotional response moved Jolie to tears, highlighting the film’s profound effect on audiences. Shortly after its premiere, Netflix secured distribution rights after winning a competitive bidding war against at least one major distributor.
“Maria” explores the life of the American Greek soprano Maria Callas, chronicling her retreat to Paris after a life filled with both glamour and turmoil in the public eye. The film reimagines her final days as she grapples with her identity and legacy.
This performance marks a significant return for Jolie to serious acting contention; her last Oscar nomination came in 2008 for her role in Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling.” With her transformative portrayal of Callas, Jolie showcases her formidable talent and captures the essence of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated opera singers. Experts predict that her role in “Maria” could secure her another Oscar nomination, as she currently leads in Variety’s Awards Circuit best actress rankings, positioning her as a frontrunner for the prestigious award. Should she win, it would be her second Oscar, following her supporting actress win for 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted.”
“Maria” is part of Larraín’s trilogy focusing on iconic women, which includes “Jackie” (2016) featuring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, and “Spencer” (2021) starring Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. Many consider “Maria” the strongest entry in this trilogy, presenting a compelling character study crafted by Oscar nominee Steven Knight, known for his work on “Dirty Pretty Things” (2003).
Produced by Jonas Dornbach, Janine Jackowski, Juan de Dios Larraín, and Lorenzo Mieli, “Maria” is set to screen at the New York Film Festival on September 29 and the AFI Film Festival on October 26.
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