Angelina Jolie to headline the Maria Callas biopic, providing details on cast, narrative, musical pieces, and upcoming trailers.
In the heart of 1970s Paris, the world's greatest opera singer, Maria Callas, lived out her final days in isolation. This poignant chapter of Callas' life is the focus of the upcoming biopic, Maria, set to grace UK cinemas on January 10, 2025.
Produced by Fabula Pictures' Juan de Dios Larraín, Fremantle Company's Apartment Pictures' Lorenzo Mieli, and Komlizen Film's Jonas Dornbach, the film delves into the tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic story of Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín, with a screenplay by Steven Knight, the film is based on true accounts of Callas' life.
Angelina Jolie portrays Maria Callas in this captivating production. Jolie's performance is a testament to her dedication, as she trained extensively for almost seven months to give a convincing impression of being an opera star. The film features some of Callas' signature pieces, including 'Casta Diva' from Bellini's opera Norma.
The musical elements in Maria have been crafted with great care. While Jolie sings opera in the film, her voice is carefully blended in post-production with Maria Callas' original recordings. This approach ensures an authentic sound that honours Callas’ operatic legacy. One notable aria featured is "O mio babbino caro" from the opera Gianni Schicchi by Puccini.
The film captures Callas' personal anguish, struggles to find her voice again, and the dramatic events that shaped her, including her complex relationship with Aristotle Onassis, who left her for Jackie Kennedy. The narrative weaves together interviews and flashbacks, offering a poignant portrayal of Callas' life.
The filming for Maria took place over eight weeks across Europe, in Paris, Greece, Budapest, and Milan. The cast includes Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Valeria Golino.
Interestingly, Hungary is notable as it is where Jolie made her own directing debut 13 years prior for the film "In the Land of Blood and Honey".
Throughout her career, Maria Callas was widely celebrated for her interpretations of operas by Bellini, Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini. Her recording of Maria in 1952 singing "Tosca" remains unparalleled. With Maria, the legacy of this legendary opera singer lives on, offering audiences a glimpse into the life of a truly remarkable woman.
The upcoming biopic, Maria, delves into Maria Callas' life, providing an entertaining exploration of entertainment realm, including movies-and-tv, with focus on her operations career. This production, set to be released in UK cinemas on January 10, 2025, offers a poignant portrayal of Maria Callas' life, showcasing her struggles and successes in the world of entertainment.
