Maria is a 2024 biographical psychological drama film about opera singer Maria Callas. It is directed by Pablo Larraín, written by Steven Knight, produced by Fremantle.[2] The film stars Angelina Jolie in the title role, with Valeria Golino as her sister Yakinthi, and Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis. It is the third and final film in Larraín’s trilogy of 20th century “iconic women”, succeeding Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).
| Maria | |
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| Directed by | Pablo Larraín |
| Written by | Steven Knight |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Edward Lachman |
| Edited by | Sofía Subercaseaux |
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Running time | 124 minutes |
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The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion.[3]
Premise
editThe film is reportedly set during Callas' final years in the 1970s when she was living in Paris.[4]
Cast
edit- Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas
- Valeria Golino as Yakinthi Callas
- Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis
- Alba Rohrwacher as Bruna
- Pierfrancesco Favino as Ferruccio
- Kodi Smit-McPhee as Mandrax
- Alessandro Bressanello as Giovanni Battista Meneghini
- Aggelina Papadopoulou as young Maria Callas
Production
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Pablo Larraín signed on to direct, working from a script by Steven Knight. The film is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company, and Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film.[5] Angelina Jolie came aboard the project as the eponymous Maria in October 2022.[6]
Filming got underway in Budapest in October 2023 with other filming locations including Paris, Greece and Milan. Some material was also filmed at the La Scala opera house. Beforehand, Production Designer Guy Hendrix Dyas worked with Pablo Larraín on the visual concept, helping fuse the 1940 to 1970s style with the surreal musical sequences. According to the film's producers, no new fur was sourced for Jolie's garments which are based on Callas' original garments, with consultation with animal rights groups such as PETA regarding vintage fur items worn in the film from the archive collection of costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini.[7][8]
To prepare for her role, Jolie spent seven months training to sing opera.[9]
Reception
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 34 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.30/10.[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Ntim, Zac (August 30, 2024). "Pablo Larraín & Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' Sells Worldwide Following Buzzy Venice Debut". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (August 28, 2024). "Netflix Acquires Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' From Director Pablo Larraín for US Distribution". TheWrap. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "Biennale Cinema 2024 | Maria". La Biennale di Venezia. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ Shaw Roberts, Maddy (October 2, 2023). "Angelina Jolie to star as legendary Greek operatic soprano Maria Callas in new musical biopic". Classic FM. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 10, 2023). "Maria Callas Biopic Starring Angelina Jolie Heads To Cannes Market With FilmNation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (October 21, 2022). "Angelina Jolie to Play Maria Callas in Next Biopic From Pablo Larrain". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (October 5, 2023). "Valeria Golino Joins Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas' Sister in Pablo Larraín's Biopic". Variety. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (October 9, 2023). "First Images of Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas Unveiled as Pablo Larrain's Biopic 'Maria' Begins Shooting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Angelina Jolie Spent 'Almost Seven Months' Training to Sing Opera in 'Maria': 'I Had Not Sung in Public' Before and 'Was Terribly Nervous'". Variety.
- ^ "Maria". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ "Maria". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 2, 2024.