Get ready for the mesmerizing journey into the life of an opera legend! The teaser trailer for Maria, starring Angelina Jolie, has just dropped, offering a tantalizing glimpse into this highly anticipated biopic.
The teaser opens with Jolie's captivating portrayal of Maria Callas, set against the backdrop of a lavish opera house. Viewers can expect a rich visual experience filled with glamor, drama, and powerful operatic music, all of which promise to capture the essence of one of the 20th century's most iconic figures.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria delves into the tumultuous final days of the legendary soprano. Callas, celebrated for her unparalleled talent and striking presence, is reimagined through Jolie's performance, which is already generating buzz for possible award nominations.
As we eagerly await the film's release, this article will unveil all the gripping details about Maria, including the plot, cast, and stunning artistry that brings Callas’s story to life. Stay tuned for exciting updates as we continue to uncover more insights leading up to its premiere!
Release date & Where to Watch
The film will open in select US theaters on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024before streaming on Netflix starting Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.
For UK audiences, Maria won’t hit cinemas until Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. However, UK viewers can get an early look at the film during the London Film Festival, with screenings on October 18, 19, and 20. The movie has been rated R by the MPA for language, including a sexual reference.
Maria premiered globally at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Aug. 29, 2024, where it received an 8-minute standing ovation.
Plot
Academy Award-winner Angelina Jolie stars as Maria Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, in Pablo Larraín’s operatic biopic, Maria. The film portrays Callas, the American-Greek soprano, as she retreats to Paris during the final days of her life, reflecting on her identity and storied career.
The plot explores Callas' interactions with an imaginary film crew, hallucinations brought on by medication, and flashbacks to her glory days. A significant focus is on her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, the same business tycoon who later married Jackie Kennedy. The setting is as decadent as 1970s Paris itself, with lavish visuals, including grand pianos and opulent chandeliers.
Written by Steven Knight, the script promises to delve into the tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic story of the world’s greatest female opera singer, as she reckons with her legacy during her final days in Paris.
Cast
- Angelina Jolie (Eternals, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Girl) as Maria Callas
“I deeply respect the responsibility of honoring Maria’s life and legacy, and I will give everything I can to rise to the challenge,” Jolie stated. “I've admired Pablo Larraín as a director for a long time. Getting the opportunity to tell more of Maria's story with him and a script by Steven Knight is a dream come true,” she added.
- Aggelina Papadopoulou as young Maria Callas
- Pierfrancesco Favino (Night at the Museum, The Chronicles of Narnia, and World War Z) as Ferruccio
- Alba Rohrwacher (My Brilliant Friend) as Bruna
- Valeria Golino (The Beautiful Game) as Yakinthi Callas
- Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog) as Mandrax
- Haluk Bilginer (Persona) as Aristotle Onassis
- Alessandro Bressanello as Giovanni Battista Meneghini
- Stephen Ashfield (The Devil's Hour)
Is Maria Based on a true Story?
Maria is based on the true story of Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas, focusing on the tragedy of her final days. The film includes flashbacks to pivotal moments, like her breakthrough performance in Venice in 1949.
Will Angelina Jolie sing in Maria?
Angelina Jolie underwent nearly seven months of training to convincingly portray one of the 20th century's greatest opera stars, Maria Callas. Director Pablo Larraín explained to the Associated Press that opera singing requires a very specific technique, involving pitch, breath control, and posture—skills far beyond the realm of casual singing. Although Jolie trained extensively to embody an opera singer, her voice will be mixed with Maria Callas' original recordings in the film.
According to Larraín, about 95 percent of the singing comes from Callas’ own performances, but when depicting Callas near the end of her life, Jolie’s voice is more prominent. “We recorded Angie’s voice and mixed it with Maria’s at different levels,” Larraín revealed. “Sometimes it’s mostly Maria, and sometimes you hear more of Angie, but her voice is always present.”
Filming
Filming began in Budapest in October 2023, with additional locations including Paris, Greece, and Milan.
Behind the Scenes
The film Maria is directed by Pablo Larraín and written by Steven Knight, marking their second collaboration following Spencer. Produced by Juan De Dios Larraín, Jonas Dornbach, Lorenzo Mieli, and Larraín himself, it features an impressive creative team, including Ed Lachman as the cinematographer, Guy Hendrix Dyas as the production designer, Massimo Cantini Parrini for costumes, and Sofía Subercaseaux as the editor.
Renowned for films like Jackie, Spencer, No, Neruda, and El Conde—which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography thanks to Lachman’s chiaroscuro work—Larraín is venturing into deeply personal territory with Maria. He describes it as “a creative imagining and psychological portrait of Maria Callas,” focusing on the iconic opera singer’s journey to find her true voice and identity after dedicating her life to performing for audiences around the world.
Larraín shared his excitement about working with Netflix again, calling Maria his “most personal work yet,” and expressing the honor he feels in telling Maria Callas' story to a global audience, much like how she shared her life with the world.
Written by ODD Balls
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