Angelina Jolie's debut as opera legend Maria Callas featured in the forthcoming biopic's opening scene
Netflix has acquired the US rights to the highly anticipated biopic "Maria," which tells the story of one of the greatest opera voices of all time, Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín, the film premieres today at the Venice Film Festival.
Set during her final days in 1970s Paris, the story of "Maria" is influenced by events in Callas' personal life, including her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. The filming took place over eight weeks across Europe, in Paris, Budapest, Milan, and parts of Greece.
Angelina Jolie portrays Callas in the biopic, immersing herself in the role of the opera legend who spent her last years living in isolation in Paris. The teaser clip of "Maria" shows Jolie's Callas disagreeing with her staff about taking her medication during her final days.
The cast of "Maria" includes Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Stephen Ashfield, and Valeria Golino. Larraín, who previously directed the biopic "Jackie" starring Natalie Portman, helms the film.
Maria Callas was widely celebrated for her Verdi and Puccini interpretations and was a leading exponent of bel canto works of Bellini and Rossini. Her story is a testament to her incredible talent and the trials she faced in her personal life.
"Maria" debuts on 29 August at the Venice Film Festival, promising to be a captivating portrayal of a legendary figure in the world of opera.
