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Everything We Know About 'Maria,' the Upcoming Movie Starring Angelina Jolie

The film premiered this Thursday, August 29, 2024 at the Venice Film Festival.

Maria is the next film project from Pablo Larraín , a Chilean director acclaimed for his complex cinematic portraits of female characters such as Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021). This new film promises to immerse audiences in a captivating narrative centered on Maria Callas , the legendary Greek opera singer, played by Angelina Jolie .

The synopsis

The film Maria focuses on the final years of the life of Maria Callas , an opera icon known worldwide for her unique voice and exceptional stage presence. After leaving the stage, Callas retreated to Paris, where she lived in elegant but painful solitude. The screenplay explores her memories, regrets and quest for redemption, while offering an intimate look at the woman behind the artist. It highlights Callas' personal and professional struggles, as well as her tumultuous relationship with Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis , her great love who left a deep mark on her.

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Credits: image from the film "Maria" by Pablo Larraín

The casting

Angelina Jolie will star as Maria Callas. The role marks a new challenge for the American actress, known for her intense and nuanced performances in films such as Girl, Interrupted and Maleficent . For the actress, playing Callas represents not only an opportunity to pay tribute to an iconic figure in art, but also to explore new artistic territory. Joining her is a stellar cast, including Valeria Golino, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer and Kodi Smit-McPhee .

The release date

Presented Thursday, August 29, 2024 as a preview at the Venice Film Festival , the film will not arrive in theaters before February 12, 2025 in France.

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Maria Movie Clip - Pablo Larrain/Angelina Jolie (2024)

Why are we eager to see the project in theaters?

The hype surrounding Maria is due to several factors. First, Pablo Larraín is known for his ability to capture the essence of his female characters with psychological depth and rare sensitivity. His collaboration with Angelina Jolie , an actress who possesses a magnetic presence and extensive experience, can only heighten the anticipation surrounding the film. Moreover, the subject itself—the life of Maria Callas , a multifaceted artist who defied the conventions of her time—is fascinating. Callas is a complex character, both powerful and vulnerable, and her story continues to captivate audiences many years after her death.

Then, the return of Angelina Jolie in a leading role in a prestige drama arouses great interest. After a career marked by Hollywood blockbusters and humanitarian commitments, the prospect of seeing her embody an artistic icon as emblematic as Callas promises to be a major cinematic event.

Finally, the first images and teasers of the film have already made the rounds of the media and social networks, arousing the curiosity of film lovers. The promise of an aesthetic staging and an intense interpretation under the direction of Pablo Larraín creates a palpable expectation.

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