Angelina Jolie as opera diva Maria Callas: She surprises with vulnerability

In the divorce war against Brad Pitt (60), Angelina Jolie (49) is fighting like a lioness. At the Venice International Film Festival, however, the mother of six surprises with her soft side and says that she shares the vulnerability of Maria Callas (1923-1977), whom she portrays in Pablo Larraín’s (48) new biopic “Maria”.

“Well, there’s a lot you probably know or suspect that I’m not going to say in this room,” Angelina Jolie noted at a press conference on Thursday, August 29, to mark the film’s screening, when asked about her personal connection to the late Callas. The opera singer is considered one of the greatest sopranos of all time.

“I share their vulnerability more than anything else”

“I think the way I connected with her may be surprising – it was probably the part of her that is extremely soft and has no place in the world to be as soft as she really was and as emotionally open as she really was,” said the otherwise often cool Oscar winner. “I share her vulnerability more than anything else.”

At the press conference in Venice, Jolie was also asked how she felt about a possible Oscar nomination for her performance. She replied that the benchmark for whether she was “good enough” was more the reaction of Callas fans “and those who love opera.” “My fear would be to disappoint them. Beyond that, of course, with everything else in my own business, I am very grateful when there is a reaction to my work.” Jolie hopes that the film adaptation “brings more people to opera.”

Like a real diva

At the premiere of the film that evening, Angelina Jolie walked elegantly down the red carpet in a silk, skin-colored evening dress. A shoulder-free fur stole was held in place with a gold brooch. She wore her long, blonde-streaked hair loose and straight. Red lipstick completed her glamorous appearance.