In the film “Maria,” Angelina Jolie plays the singer Maria Callas. In Venice, she talks about her relationship to opera, what connects her to Callas – and makes a telling allusion.
US star Angelina Jolie can be seen in a new movie as opera singer Maria Callas. When asked which aspects of the opera singer she could identify with, the 49-year-old said in Venice: “Well, there are many things I won’t say in this room that you probably know or suspect.”
“Maria” by Pablo Larraín tells of the last days in the life of Callas (1923-1977). Flashbacks include her turbulent relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Jolie may have been alluding to her own relationship life. Her ex-husband Brad Pitt is also expected in Venice with his new film.
Jolie: I can identify with Callas’ vulnerability
Jolie said of her involvement with Callas: “I think what appealed to me most – and this may come as a surprise – is probably the part of her that was extremely soft. To be as soft and emotionally open as she really was, she couldn’t show herself to the world. I think that vulnerability is what I can identify with most.”
Jolie said she had been preparing for the role for seven months. “The first time I sang, I was so nervous. My sons were there and helped me lock the door so no one else could come in, and I was shaking.”
She discovered opera late in life. She used to be “more of a punk,” she said. “I loved all kinds of music, but I probably listened to The Clash more often than most people.” She still likes The Clash.
“But I believe that if you have experienced a lot in life, if you have felt a certain amount of despair, of pain, of love, then there are only certain sounds that match that feeling. For me there is nothing comparable to the immense emotions contained in the sounds of opera.”
Festival ensures that Jolie and Pitt do not meet
The premiere of “Maria” is tonight. Three days later, the premiere of Brad Pitt’s new film “Wolfs” is planned in Venice. Festival director Alberto Barbera said in an interview with “Vanity Fair” magazine that precautions have been taken to ensure that the two do not run into each other. “Angelina will be there on the first day, Thursday the 29th, and immediately after that she will go to Telluride with Pablo Larraín. Brad will not arrive in Venice until Saturday. It is impossible for them to run into each other on the Lido.”
Source: Stern
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