Venice Film Festival Sees Emotional Premiere of ‘Maria’ Starring Angelina Jolie
Venice, Italy — Angelina Jolie experienced a deeply emotional moment during Thursday’s premiere of her upcoming film “Maria” at the Venice Film Festival.
The Academy Award-winning actress was met with thunderous applause, described as both roaring and lengthy, following the screening, which left her visibly moved. Footage captured from the event shows Jolie escorted down a theater staircase while wiping tears from her eyes as the audience continued to cheer.
Joining her at the premiere were the film’s director, Pablo Larraín, along with cast members Alba Rohrwacher and Pierfrancesco Favino, who also took part in the festivities.
“Maria," a biographical film, tells the poignant story of Maria Callas, one of history’s most celebrated opera singers. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Paris, the film chronicles Callas’ tragic and complicated life, as well as her final days.
The film has already generated considerable buzz for potential Oscar nominations after its debut in Venice. Larraín, noted for his previous directorial works including “Jackie,” featuring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and “Spencer,” which starred Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, has a proven track record of creating compelling biopics that resonate with audiences and critics alike; both actresses earned Academy Award nominations for their roles under his direction.
At a press conference held earlier in the day, Jolie shared her insights about her character, expressing her ability to connect with Callas in unexpected ways. According to reports from People, she noted similarities, particularly in “the part of her that’s extremely soft and doesn’t have room in the world to be as soft as she truly was, and as emotionally open as she truly was.”
“I share her vulnerability more than anything,” Jolie stated during the press conference.
In addition to the festival excitement, Netflix announced on Wednesday that “Maria” will be available for streaming at a later date, further expanding its audience reach.
