Kristina Roberts
Angelina Jolie recently shared her thoughts on playing the famous opera singer Maria Callas in the new movie Maria. The film, directed by Pablo Larraín, focuses on the last years of Callas’s life. Jolie said it was both an honor and a strange experience to step into the shoes of such a legendary woman.
Jolie’s Experience Playing Maria Callas
In an interview, Jolie explained how special it was to portray Maria Callas. She said, “Nobody expects you to sing like Maria Callas because no one in the world can sing like her. Not even in her time could anyone match her talent.” Instead of trying to imitate Callas’s singing, the film uses the real recordings of her voice. Jolie added, “Her voice and her art are very present in this film. She’s like my partner in this movie—we’re doing it together.”
Jolie also talked about how challenging it was to play a performer like Callas. “I wasn’t just acting as myself; I was trying to understand why Maria made certain choices in her performances. I’ve never played a performer before, and learning about her made me admire her even more. She wasn’t just a singer—she was a brilliant actor too.”
Working with Director Pablo Larraín
Jolie praised the director, Pablo Larraín, for his careful and thoughtful way of making movies. She said, “I met Pablo years ago and told him how much I respected his work. I always hoped to work with him one day.” She appreciated how seriously Larraín took the casting process. “He makes sure the actor truly understands the role. He was tough on me, but I liked that! He’s a dream director, and I’d love to work with him again.”
She also mentioned how much she learned from him. “Watching him work helped me grow as a director myself.”
The Unique Script and Storytelling
The movie Maria was written by Steven Knight, and Jolie loved the unusual way the story was told. “The script is very different and brave in how it presents Maria’s life,” she said. The film doesn’t just follow a typical biography—it dives deep into Callas’s emotions and struggles during her final years in Paris.
About the Film ‘Maria’
The movie explores Maria Callas’s life in the 1970s when she lived in Paris, away from the public eye. Along with Jolie, the film stars actors like Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. It is set to release on May 9.
Why This Role Was Special for Jolie
For Jolie, this movie was more than just another acting job. “It wasn’t just about telling Maria’s story—it was about working with a director who pushes you to do your best,” she said. She also felt a deep connection to Callas. “She was a fascinating woman, and I really cared about doing her justice.”
Jolie’s performance has already received praise, especially after the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year. Fans and critics are excited to see her bring Maria Callas’s story to life.
Angelina Jolie’s role in Maria is one of her most challenging yet. Playing a real-life legend like Maria Callas required deep respect and understanding. With a talented director, a unique script, and Callas’s own voice filling the scenes, the film promises to be a powerful tribute to one of the greatest opera singers of all time.
Jolie’s dedication to the role shows how much she admires Callas. As she said, “It was an honor and sometimes a bit of a head trip to be me playing her.”
The movie Maria will surely be a must-watch for fans of Angelina Jolie, Maria Callas, and powerful true-life stories.
