MARIA Trailer (2025) Angelina Jolie, Biopic Movie

MARIA Trailer (2025) Angelina Jolie, Biopic Movie

MARIA Trailer (2025) Angelina Jolie, Biopic Movie
© 2024 - Studio Canal

"Maria - what do you want to sing?" Netflix has revealed their beautiful teaser trailer for the film Maria, the latest film from acclaimed Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain, continuing his series about tormented women - after Jackie and Spencer before this. This film focuses on the beloved opera singer Maria Callas, as portrayed by the beloved actor Angelina Jolie. It premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival earlier this month, and it's set for a theatrical release in November before it's streaming on Netflix in December. From acclaimed director Pablo Larraín, Maria will tell the tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived, and reimagined during her final few days in 1970s Paris. Also starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Valeria Golino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Haluk Bilginer. With costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, sets by Guy Hendrix Dyas, and Ed Lachman as DP. This one is really truly for the opera fans above all else, for those that already love her. And for anyone who wants to see this stunning Angelina Jolie performance struggling with her fame and her ego and her voice.

Here's the first teaser trailers for Pablo Larraín's film Maria, direct from Netflix's YouTube:

Maria Film

Maria Film

Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie is Maria Callas – one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century in Pablo Larrain's operatic Maria. The story follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. Maria reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Maria is directed acclaimed Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín, director of the films Fuga, Tony Manero, Post Mortem, No, The Club, Neruda, Jackie with Natalie Portman, Ema, Spencer, and El Conde previously, as well as various other projects. The screenplay is written by Steven Knight. It's produced by Juan De Dios Larraín, Jonas Dornbach, Lorenzo Mieli, Pablo Larraín. With cinematography by Ed Lachman. This first premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival earlier this month and it's playing next at NYFF. Netflix will debut Larraín's Maria film in select US theaters first on November 27th, 2024 this fall, then streaming on Netflix starting December 11th. First impression?
Maria
Directed by Pablo Larraín
Written by Steven Knight
Produced by
Jonas Dornbach
Janine Jackowski
Juan de Dios Larraín
Lorenzo Mieli
Starring
Angelina Jolie
Haluk Bilginer
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Alba Rohrwacher
Pierfrancesco Favino
Valeria Golino
Cinematography Edward Lachman
Edited by Sofía Subercaseaux
Production
companies
Fremantle
Komplizen Film
Fabula
The Apartment Pictures
Distributed by
Netflix (United States)
01 Distribution (Italy)
StudioCanal (United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Poland)
Release dates
August 29, 2024 (Venice)
November 27, 2024 (United States)
January 1, 2025 (Italy)
February 6, 2025 (Germany)
Running time 124 minutes
Countries
United States
Italy
Germany
Languages
English
Greek
Maria is a 2024 biographical psychological drama film about opera singer Maria Callas. It is directed by Pablo Larraín, written by Steven Knight, and is an international co-production between the United States, Italy and Germany. The film stars Angelina Jolie in the title role, along with Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alba Rohrwacher, Pierfrancesco Favino, and Valeria Golino in supporting roles. It is the third and final film in Larraín’s trilogy of 20th century “iconic women”, succeeding Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).

The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, where it competed for the Golden Lion and received generally positive reviews from critics, who singled out Jolie's performance for praise. It will be released in select theaters in the United States on November 27, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on December 11. It will later be theatrically released in Italy by 01 Distribution on January 1, 2025, and in Germany by StudioCanal on February 6.

Premise
The film is reportedly set during Callas' final years in the 1970s when she was living in Paris.[1]

Cast
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas
Aggelina Papadopoulou as young Maria Callas
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Mandrax
Alba Rohrwacher as Bruna
Pierfrancesco Favino as Ferruccio
Valeria Golino as Yakinthi Callas
Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis
Alessandro Bressanello as Giovanni Battista Meneghini
Production

The cast of Maria at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.
Pablo Larraín signed on to direct, working from a script by Steven Knight. The film is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company, and Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film.[2] Angelina Jolie came aboard the project as the eponymous Maria in October 2022.[3]

Filming got underway in Budapest in October 2023 with other filming locations including Paris, Greece and Milan. Some material was also filmed at the La Scala opera house. Beforehand, production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas worked with Larraín on the visual concept, helping fuse the 1940 to 1970s style with the surreal musical sequences. According to the film's producers, no new fur was sourced for Jolie's garments which are based on Callas' original garments, with consultation with animal rights groups such as PETA regarding vintage fur items worn in the film from the archive collection of costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini.[4][5]

To prepare for her role, Jolie spent seven months training to sing opera.[6] The scenes set during Callas' heyday, an estimated 90 to 95 percent of Callas' original recordings were used, with Jolie lip-synching along to these songs. However, Jolie's singing comes to the fore during the film's final act.[7][8]

Release
The film had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, where it competed for the Golden Lion.[9] On the day before its premiere, the film's US distribution rights were acquired by Netflix.[10][11] Following the premiere, FilmNation Entertainment handled some of the film's international distribution deals, with 01 Distribution handling its release in Italy, and StudioCanal handling its release in the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland.[12]

It will be released in select theaters in the US on November 27, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on December 11.[13][14] It will later be theatrically released in Italy on January 1, 2025,[15] in the UK and Ireland on January 10, and in Germany on February 6.[16]

Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of 57 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.70/10. The website's consensus reads: "Angelina Jolie unveils new highs within her emotional register in Pablo Larraín's Maria, keeping this tragic biopic compelling even when its theatrics go off-key."[17] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 63 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[18]

The film received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande Theatre during its world premiere, reducing Angelina Jolie to tears.[19][20]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Venice International Film Festival September 7, 2024 Golden Lion Pablo Larraín Nominated [21]
Middleburg Film Festival October 20, 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinematography Edward Lachman Won [22]
References
Shaw Roberts, Maddy (October 2, 2023). "Angelina Jolie to star as legendary Greek operatic soprano Maria Callas in new musical biopic". Classic FM. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
Wiseman, Andreas (May 10, 2023). "Maria Callas Biopic Starring Angelina Jolie Heads To Cannes Market With FilmNation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
Ritman, Alex (October 21, 2022). "Angelina Jolie to Play Maria Callas in Next Biopic From Pablo Larrain". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
Vivarelli, Nick (October 5, 2023). "Valeria Golino Joins Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas' Sister in Pablo Larraín's Biopic". Variety. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
Ritman, Alex (October 9, 2023). "First Images of Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas Unveiled as Pablo Larrain's Biopic 'Maria' Begins Shooting". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
"Angelina Jolie Spent 'Almost Seven Months' Training to Sing Opera in 'Maria': 'I Had Not Sung in Public' Before and 'Was Terribly Nervous'". Variety. August 29, 2024.
Canfield, David (August 23, 2024). "In Maria, Angelina Jolie and Pablo Larraín Bring an Opera Icon to Staggering Life". vanityfair.com. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
Gleiberman, Owen (August 29, 2024). "Maria Review: Angelina Jolie Is Commanding as Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's Lavish but Overly Fatalistic Drama". Variety.
"Biennale Cinema 2024 | Maria". La Biennale di Venezia. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
Grobar, Matt (August 28, 2024). "Netflix Takes U.S. Rights To Pablo Larraín's 'Maria' Starring Angelina Jolie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
Gonzalez, Umberto (August 28, 2024). "Netflix Acquires Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' From Director Pablo Larraín for US Distribution". TheWrap. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
Ntim, Zac (August 30, 2024). "Pablo Larraín & Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' Sells Worldwide Following Buzzy Venice Debut". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
Davis, Clayton (September 23, 2024). "Angelina Jolie's Oscar Vehicle 'Maria' Gets Release Date by Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
DiLillo, John (September 24, 2024). "Angelina Jolie Is Coming to Netflix as Maria Callas". Netflix. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
01 Distribution (September 30, 2024). MARIA di Pablo Larraín (2025) - Teaser Trailer Ufficiale HD. Retrieved October 2, 2024 – via YouTube.
StudioCanal (September 26, 2024). MARIA | Official Teaser | STUDIOCANAL. Retrieved October 2, 2024 – via YouTube.
"Maria". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 2, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
"Maria". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
Setoodeh, Ramin; Ritman, Alex (August 29, 2024). "Angelina Jolie Weeps Through Rapturous 8-Minute Venice Standing Ovation for 'Maria,' Launching Oscar Buzz". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
Rosenbloom, Alli (August 29, 2024). "Angelina Jolie moved to tears during 'Maria' standing ovation at Venice Film Festival". CNN. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
Gardner, Chris (August 27, 2024). "From Brangelina to Joaquin Phoenix: The Venice Red Carpet Will Be Filled With A-Listers and Intrigue". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
"AwardsWatch - 2024 Middleburg Film Festival Honorees Include RaMell Ross, Danielle Deadwyler; Ed Lachman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award". AwardsWatch. September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
External links
Maria at IMDb
vte
Works directed by Pablo Larraín
vte
Works by Steven Knight
Categories: 2024 filmsAmerican biographical drama filmsBiographical films about singersCultural depictions of Maria CallasEnglish-language biographical drama filmsEnglish-language German filmsEnglish-language Greek filmsEnglish-language Italian filmsFilmNation Entertainment filmsFilms about operaFilms directed by Pablo LarraínFilms set in the 1970sFilms set in ParisFilms shot in BudapestFilms shot in GreeceFilms shot in MilanFilms shot in ParisFilms with screenplays by Steven KnightGerman biographical drama filmsGreek biographical drama filmsItalian biographical drama filmsNetflix original filmsUpcoming Netflix original filmsStudioCanal films
Maria
Maria Callas (Angelina Jolie) in una scena del film
Lingua originale inglese, greco
Paese di produzione Cile, Italia, Germania
Anno 2024
Durata 124 min
Genere drammatico, biografico
Regia Pablo Larraín
Sceneggiatura Steven Knight
Produttore Juan de Dios Larraín, Jonas Dornbach, Lorenzo Mieli
Produttore esecutivo Miki Emmrich, Helmet Hutter
Casa di produzione Fabula, The Apartment, Komplizen Film
Distribuzione in italiano 01 Distribution
Fotografia Edward Lachman
Montaggio Sofía Subercaseaux
Scenografia Guy Hendrix Dyas
Costumi Massimo Cantini Parrini
Interpreti e personaggi
Angelina Jolie: Maria Callas
Valeria Golino: Yakinthī Callas
Haluk Bilginer: Aristotele Onassis
Alba Rohrwacher: Bruna Lupoli
Pierfrancesco Favino: Ferruccio Mezzadri
Kodi Smit-McPhee: Mandrax
Vincent Macaigne: dott. Fointainebleau
Stephen Ashfield: insegnante di canto
Lydia Koniordou: Euaggelia Dīmītriadou
Alessandro Bressanello: Giovanni Battista Meneghini
Maria è un film del 2024 diretto da Pablo Larraín e sceneggiato da Steven Knight.

La pellicola ripercorre gli ultimi anni di vita di Maria Callas, interpretata da Angelina Jolie.

Indice
1 Trama
2 Produzione
3 Promozione
4 Distribuzione
5 Accoglienza
5.1 Critica
6 Riconoscimenti
7 Note
8 Altri progetti
9 Collegamenti esterni
Trama
Parigi, 1977. A quattro anni dal ritiro dalle scene, Maria Callas riceve un giornalista per ripercorrere la storia della sua vita in un'intervista.

Produzione
Nell'ottobre 2022 è stato annunciato che Angelina Jolie avrebbe interpretato Maria Callas in un film diretto da Pablo Larraín,[1] che avrebbe così completato la sua trilogia su donne iconiche del XX secolo, intrapresa con Jackie (2016) e portata avanti con Spencer (2021).[2]

Le riprese sono iniziate a Budapest nell'ottobre 2023,[3] prima di proseguire a Parigi,[4] Atene e Milano, dove hanno coinvolto anche il Teatro alla Scala.[5]

Promozione
Una prima clip del film è stata diffusa il 28 agosto 2024,[6] mentre il primo trailer ufficiale è stato pubblicato il 26 settembre successivo.[7]

Distribuzione
Il film è stato presentato in anteprima mondiale il 29 agosto 2024 in occasione della 81ª Mostra internazionale d'arte cinematografica di Venezia.[8] Il 2 settembre successivo è stato proiettato in concorso al Telluride Film Festival.[9] Verrà distribuito nelle sale cinematografiche italiane da 01 Distribution il 1º gennaio 2025.[10]

Accoglienza
Critica
Sull'aggregatore di recensioni Rotten Tomatoes 57 critici esprimono un gradimento del 77%, con un voto medio di 6.7 su 10;[11] su Metacritic il voto medio di 27 critici è 63/100.[12]

Jacopo Gramegna da Venezia per CineFacts scrive che «La poderosa prova di Angelina Jolie viene sublimata dall'ormai consueta regia magistrale di Larraín».[13]

Riconoscimenti
2024 - Mostra internazionale d'arte cinematografica[14]
In concorso per il Leone d'oro
Note
^ (EN) Alex Ritman, Angelina Jolie to Play Maria Callas in Next Biopic From Pablo Larrain, su The Hollywood Reporter, 21 ottobre 2022. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
^ (EN) Clayton Davis, Angelina Jolie and ‘Maria’ Director Pablo Larraín on Capturing the Diva’s Operatic Life: ‘Her Destiny Was Her Tragedy. But There’s So Much Beauty There’, su Variety, 2 settembre 2024. URL consultato il 4 settembre 2024.
^ (EN) F. N. E. Staff, Angelina Jolie to Shoot in Hungary for Pablo Larraín’s Biopic of Maria Callas - FilmNewEurope.com, su www.filmneweurope.com. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
^ (EN) Angelina Jolie Seen Wearing All-Black Costume on Paris Set of Maria Callas Biopic 'Maria', su People. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
^ Angelina Jolie alla Scala per girare le riprese del film sulla vita di Maria Callas. Ma la star di Hollywood è già ripartita, su la Repubblica, 30 novembre 2023. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
^ 'Maria' Clip: Here's Our First Look At Angelina Jolie In Pablo Larraín's Upcoming Biopic, su theplaylist.net. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
^ (EN) Anthony D'Alessandro, Netflix Tunes Up Angelina Jolie’s Maria Callas Biopic ‘Maria’ With First Teaser Trailer, su Deadline, 26 settembre 2024. URL consultato il 26 settembre 2024.
^ (EN) Peter Bradshaw, Maria Callas, Lady Gaga and divas of a different stripe: Peter Bradshaw’s picks of the Venice film festival, in The Guardian, 23 agosto 2024. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
^ (EN) Jack Smart e Andrea Mandell, Angelina Jolie Earns Standing Ovation at Telluride for 'Maria,' Says She Was 'Out of My Mind' with Nerves When She Sang, su Peoplemag, 2 settembre 2024. URL consultato il 4 settembre 2024.
^ Cristiano Bolla, Maria, annunciata la data di uscita del film in Italia, su BoxOfficeBitz, 29 agosto 2024. URL consultato il 29 agosto 2024.
^ (EN) Maria, su Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango Media, LLC. Modifica su Wikidata
^ (EN) Maria, su Metacritic, Fandom, Inc. Modifica su Wikidata
^ Jacopo Gramegna, Maria - Recensione: di bellezza e di follia, su CineFacts.it, 29 agosto 2024. URL consultato il 4 settembre 2024.
^ (EN) Owen Gleiberman, Venice Film Festival: The 5 Most-Anticipated Movies, From ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ to Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer’, su Variety, 27 agosto 2024. URL consultato il 28 agosto 2024.
Altri progetti
Collabora a Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons contiene immagini o altri file su Maria
Collegamenti esterni
(EN) Maria, su IMDb, IMDb.com. Modifica su Wikidata
(EN) Maria, su AllMovie, All Media Network. Modifica su Wikidata
(EN) Maria, su Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango Media, LLC. Modifica su Wikidata
(EN) Maria, su Metacritic, Red Ventures. Modifica su Wikidata
(EN) Maria, su Box Office Mojo, IMDb.com. Modifica su Wikidata
Portale Cinema: accedi alle voci di Wikipedia che trattano di cinema
Categorie: Film cileni del 2024Film italiani del 2024Film tedeschi del 2024Film diretti da Pablo LarraínFilm biografici sui musicistiFilm ambientati negli anni 1970Film ambientati a ParigiFilm girati in UngheriaFilm girati in GreciaFilm girati a Milano[altre]
Here’s the first teaser for Netflix’s awards season entry, Pablo Larraín’s Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as legendary opera singer Maria Callas during her final days in the late 1970s.

The movie follows the American-Greek soprano as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye, and tries to get her voice and stage confidence back in shape. Larraín covers all bases, not only in Callas’ close relationships with her house staff and her early childhood, but also in why she engaged in a long-running affair with shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis — who knew the right words to say to her.

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Beamed Deadline film critic Stephanie Bunbury about Jolie’s turn in Maria out of its Venice Film Festival world premiere: “Jolie is an almost magical match for the real diva: achingly thin but still beautiful, loftily patrician, capriciously kind or selfish, tip-toeing dangerously close to madness. The actor’s commitment to this creation is obvious at every turn. Knowing that Callas was only happy when on stage, she learned to sing for the role; the voice we hear is a blend of Callas and Jolie’s own.”

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Maria is the third ethereal female celebrity character study biopic for Larraín after bringing Jackie Onassis to the screen in 2016’s Jackie and Princess Diana in 2021’s Spencer. Both pics respectively delivered Best Actress Oscar noms to the thespians who played each iconic role: Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart. Jackie also received Oscar noms for Mica Levi’s original score and Madeline Fontaine’s costume design.

Netflix bought U.S. on the Fremantle/The Apartment-produced Maria just as Venice was warming up. Maria received a ten-minute standing ovation on the Lido. The pic hits theaters on Nov. 27 and streams on Netflix on Dec. 11.

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Read More About:
Angelina Jolie
Maria
Netflix
Angelina Jolie's transformation into famed opera singer Maria Callas takes center stage in the new trailer for director Pablo Larraín's upcoming Maria biopic — but, so does the project's otherworldly, haunting visual style.

"Maria, what do you want to sing?" is the question that echoes through an empty theater at the top of the clip, with Jolie as Callas approaching a piano that sits on stage.

Before she answers, the preview jumps to flashbacks from the highs and lows of her career, spanning eccentric costumes, rousing performances on stage, memories swathed in black and white tones, over-the-top costumes, and lots and lots of tears.

The noise settles back on Jolie inside the empty venue, as she replies, “Not today." She then walks off stage, the sound of her heels the only thing echoing through the abandoned space.

Larraín's film follows the American-Greek soprano singer during a retreat to Paris, where she spends her final days reflecting on her life and career ahead of her death in 1977.

The film serves as the latest in Larraín's ongoing cinematic exploration of famous women, as he previously directed the likes of Natalie Portman (as Jackie Kennedy in Jackie) and Kristen Stewart (as Princess Diana in Spencer) toward Best Actress Oscar nominations in recent years.

Maria | Official Teaser | Netflix
Angelina Jolie in 'Maria'. Netflix/Youtube
Angelina Jolie says she stopped singing after an ex criticized her voice: 'I just assumed I couldn't really sing'
Similarly, Jolie has earned significant Oscar buzz for her role as Callas. If nominated, it would mark her first competitive recognition from the Academy since she was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Clint Eastwood's 2008 drama Changeling. She won a prior Academy Award for her role in Girl, Interrupted, and additionally received the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2014.

Elsewhere, her Salma Hayek-starring directorial effort, Without Blood, world-premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Maria — also starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Valeria Golino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Haluk Bilginer— is in select theaters on Nov. 27, followed by a Netflix streaming debut on Dec. 11.

Angelina Jolie has transformed into the role of a lifetime, portraying legendary opera singer Maria Callas for Pablo Larraín‘s latest biopic, “Maria.”

After Larraín helmed “Spencer” and “Jackie,” the auteur is now taking on the Greek opera star whose own life mirrored the dramatic tragedies she also brought to the stage. The film is set during the last days of the chanteuse’s life in 1977. She died of a heart attack at age 53.

“Maria” concludes Larraín’s biopic trilogy. To note, Callas and Jackie Kennedy both shared a lover in Aristotle Onassis, portrayed by Haluk Bilginer in “Maria.” Onassis famously left Callas to marry Kennedy.

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Callas was a world-famous soprano singer and infamously had a feud with Renata Tebaldi. The Greek-American singer suffered from near-sightedness throughout her life and was referred to as La Divina or “The Divine One.”

Per the official synopsis, the film explores the life of the legendary, iconic and controversial singer, often described as the original diva. Based on true accounts, “Maria” tells the tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest opera singer, relived and re-imagined during her final days in 1970s Paris. “Maria” debuted at Venice 2024 after being announced in 2022. The film is being billed as a “creative imagining and a psychological portrait” of the singer.

“Maria” is the “story about a woman that lived from the ’20s to ’70s, a woman who burned her voice, her life, by doing (what she loved) her work. The film is about someone who, after dedicating her life to audiences around the world that would listen to her, decides to finally find her own voice, her own identity, and finally do something for herself.”

Kodi Smit-McPhee, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Valeria Golino co-star.

“Maria” was penned by “Spencer” screenwriter and “Peaky Blinders” scribe Steven Knight, who is also bringing “Peaky Blinders” to the big screen. Ed Lachman is the cinematographer, with Massimo Cantini Parrini handling costume design and production design by Guy Hendrix Dyas.

Director Larraín told Vanity Fair that Jolie spent six months training to portray Callas. The director wanted to capture Callas’ life story in an authentic way through Jolie.

“She became the sum of the tragedies that she played on stage,” Larraín said of Callas. “The movie is about someone who, after dedicating her life to the audiences around the world that would listen to her, decides to find her own voice, her own identity, and finally do something just for herself.”

As for Jolie, Larraín knew that no one else could be Callas.

“This is the greatest diva of the 20th century, and who could play that?” Larraín said. “I didn’t want to work with someone that didn’t have that already. I needed an actress who would naturally and organically be that diva, carry that weight, be that presence. Angelina was there.”

Larraín admitted that singing was actually “very scary” for Jolie, but the “dance of vulnerability” made for cinematic awe.

Read the IndieWire review here.

“Maria” is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film and Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment, a Fremantle Company. To note, Jolie has a three-year deal with the production company.

The feature was picked up by Netflix before its Venice debut. This is Netflix’s second film with Larraín after his 2023 feature “El Conde,” which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.

“I’m excited to partner again with the Netflix team who care so passionately about movies,” Larraín said in a press statement. “This film is my most personal work yet. It is a creative imagining and psychological portrait of Maria Callas who, after dedicating her life to performing for audiences around the world, decides finally to find her own voice, her own identity, and sing for herself. I’m deeply honored to tell this story and share it with audiences worldwide like Maria did with her life.”

“Maria” premieres in select U.S. theaters on November 27 before debuting December 11 on Netflix. Check out the teaser below.

Read More:
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Film
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Trailers
Angelina Jolie is opera icon Maria Callas in the first trailer for “Maria,” Pablo Larraín‘s latest biopic. Netflix has debuted the first trailer for the acclaimed film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received an eight-minute standing ovation, launching Jolie and the feature into the awards race.

The actor plays the American-born Greek soprano Callas, who died from a heart attack at the age of 53. As suggested by the time-spanning trailer, “Maria” will cover the life story of the singer. Along with Jolie, the cast also includes Valeria Golino (“Rain Man”), Kodi Smit-McPhee (“The Power of the Dog”), Haluk Bilginer (“Winter Sleep), Alba Rohrwacher (“My Brilliant Friend”), Pierfrancesco Favino (“World War Z”), Jeremy Wheeler (“The Crown”) and Rebecka Johnston (“Midsommar”).

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“Maria” is directed by Pablo Larraín (“El Conde”) and written by “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight. The pair previously teamed up on “Spencer,” the Princess Diana feature that earned a best actress Oscar nomination for star Kristen Stewart. Jonas Dornbach, Janine Jackowski, Lorenzo Mieli and Larraín’s brother, Juan de Dios Larraín, are producers.

“Having the chance to combine my two most deep and personal passions, cinema and opera, has been a long-awaited dream,” Pablo Larraín previously said in a statement on the film. “To do this with Angelina, a supremely brave and curious artist, is a fascinating opportunity. A true gift.”

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“I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge,” Jolie previously said in a statement. “Pablo Larraín is a director I have long admired. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria’s story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream.”

Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas worked in collaboration with Larraín in an effort to capture both the stylistic tone of the period and surrealist musical sequences. Filming for “Maria” began in Budapest in October 2023 with additional filming locations including Paris, Greece and Milan.

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“Maria” will be released in select theaters on Nov. 27, with a streaming debut on Netflix following on Dec. 11.

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Pablo Larraín is clearly not afraid of doing biopics about powerful women. After earning acclaim on smaller international films, the filmmaker really broke out in a big, big way with 2016’s “Jackie.” From there, he went on to direct 2021’s “Spencer,” and he’s now prepping the release of “Maria.” These three films will end up making a trilogy of sorts.

READ MORE: Venice 2024 Film Festival Preview: 15 Must-See Movies To Watch

With its Venice premiere coming up, we finally get our first clip from “Maria,” starring none other than Angelina Jolie as the title character, Maria Callas. The film goes through the life and career—even covering her final days—of Callas, who would eventually go on to become the greatest female opera singer of all time.

The film stars Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Stephen Ashfield, and Valeria Golino. As mentioned, the film is directed by Pablo Larraín.

Many people are expecting “Maria” to be another awards season powerhouse for Larraín, with Jolie looking to earn herself some new gold trophies. We’ll have to see if the film is worthy of this when it finally debuts in just a matter of days.

“Maria” is set to have its world premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival. You can watch the new clip below.

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Here’s the synopsis:

Maria tells the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris.
Angelina JolieMariaPablo Larrain
Here’s your first look at Angelina Jolie in Pablo Larraín’s latest Venice-bound biopic Maria.

Larraín directs the film from a screenplay by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). The pair previously collaborated on Larraín’s last biopic, Spencer.

The film’s official synopsis reads: Maria tells the tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris.

Joining Jolie in the film are Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Stephen Ashfield, and Valeria Golino. Also on board are Ed Lachman as DoP, Sofía Subercaseaux as editor, and costume design by Massimo Cantini Parrini. The producers are The Apartment (Lorenzo Mieli, Annamaria Morelli), Komplizen Film (Jonas Dornbach, Janine Jackowski, Maren Ade), Fabula (Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín)

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Discussing the pic, Larraín has said: Maria Callas, the greatest opera singer of all time, undoubtedly had a most unique, beautiful, and tormented life. This is the story of her last days, a celebration depicted through memories, friends, and, most importantly, her singing.

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Maria debuts in Venice tomorrow. The festival opens this evening with Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, starring Michael Keaton, Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara. The Warner Bros. title is playing out of competition in Venice and will begin its international rollout on September 4 with North America joining on September 6.

Venice runs until September 7. Check out the Maria clip above.

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Angelina Jolie‘s critically acclaimed portrayal of famed opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s “Maria” is set to take the fall awards season by storm.

Netflix is set to release the film in U.S. theaters on Nov. 27 before it debuts on the streaming platform on Dec. 11, Variety can reveal exclusively. Additionally, the streamer has shared a new image from the film featuring Jolie as the influential musician.

“Maria” received an eight-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, held at the Sala Grande Theatre. Moved by the reception, Jolie was seen wiping away tears. Netflix secured the film soon after winning a bidding war with at least one major distributor in the lead-up to the festival.

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Larraín’s biographical drama follows the American Greek soprano Maria Callas as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous yet tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines her final days as she grapples with her identity and legacy.

It’s been a while since Jolie was in serious contention for an acting award — her last Oscar nomination was for 2008’s “Changeling” by Clint Eastwood. However, her transformative portrayal of Callas serves as a powerful reminder of Jolie’s formidable talent, capturing the essence of one of the most celebrated and influential opera singers of the 20th century.

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With her role in “Maria,” Jolie is expected to secure another Oscar nomination. She is currently leading in Variety Awards Circuit’s best actress charts and could be among the frontrunners for the coveted prize. It would mark her second Oscar win following her supporting actress statue for 1999’s “Girl, Interrupted.”

The period drama is part of Larraín’s trilogy of iconic women, which began with “Jackie” (2016), starring Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy, and “Spencer” (2021), with Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. It’s his strongest entry in the group, with a compelling character study penned by Oscar nominee Steven Knight (“Dirty Pretty Things,” 2003).

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“Maria” is produced by Jonas Dornbach, Janine Jackowski, Juan de Dios Larraín and Lorenzo Mieli. It will screen at the New York Film Festival on Sept. 29 and the AFI Film Festival on Oct. 26.

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‘Maria’: Pablo Larraín’s Biopic Starring Angeline Jolie Lands November Release Date
Charles Barfield September 23, 2024 1:36 pm News
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In a movie you could see happening from a mile away, it appears Netflix has assigned a release date for the forthcoming biopic, “Maria,” and put it smack dab in the middle of awards season. It looks like Netflix is hoping for some gold to come its way with the Angelina Jolie film.

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According to Variety, the recently debuted “Maria” is set to hit theaters for a short awards run on November 27 before it hits the streaming service on December 11. For those unfamiliar with the film, “Maria” tells the amazing true story of opera performer Maria Callas. The film is directed by Pablo Larraín, who is no stranger to biopics of historical women, previously helming films such as “Jackie” and “Spencer.”

READ MORE: ‘Maria’ Review: Pablo Larraín’s Saccharine Biopic Starring Angelina Jolie Does Maria Callas A Disservice [Venice]

As mentioned, it’s obvious Netflix has awards season in mind with the release of “Maria.” Late-November/early-December is a prime slot for contenders to pop up. The film has already had its world premiere at the recent Venice Film Festival. The film earned solid reviews, with many of them highlighting Jolie’s lead performance.

Our review of the film was more in the middle, and said, “It is a shame that ‘Maria’ decides to focus on those who caused Callas’ pain instead of those who helped her find a true sense of compassion. Larraín is far too enamored with a predictable saccharine climax to see the life of the singer in its true tragedy, that of a woman forced to conform to oppressive beauty standards that would come to ruin her most cherished treasure.”

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“Maria” will debut in select theaters on November 27 before it arrives on Netflix on December 11.

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