Pablo Larrain’s biographical drama Maria, starring Angelina Jolie, made a powerful impact at the Venice Film Festival with its world premiere, earning an impressive 8-minute standing ovation. The film’s debut quickly became a viral sensation on social media, with several videos capturing the emotional moment.
Angelina Jolie stole the spotlight with her stunning appearance at the event on Thursday night, donning a custom-made beige gown paired with a luxurious fur stole. Joining her at the premiere were director Pablo Larrain and fellow cast members Pierfrancesco Favino and Alba Rohrwacher.
Following the screening, the audience at the Sala Grande was visibly moved, with many chanting Jolie’s name. Overwhelmed by the response, Jolie was seen wiping away tears and occasionally turning her face from the crowd as emotions took over. Her co-star Pierfrancesco Favino offered comfort, while Larrain stepped down from the gallery to acknowledge the audience’s enthusiasm.
Maria is based on the true story of Maria Callas, one of the world’s most renowned opera singers, and delves into her tumultuous and tragic life, reimagined during her final days in Paris in the 1970s. This film marks Larrain’s third exploration of a famous woman’s life, following his acclaimed works Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021), both of which also premiered at Venice.
Earlier on Thursday, during a press conference, Jolie discussed the challenges of preparing for the role of the iconic soprano, which included singing opera for the first time in her career. “Everybody here knows, I was terribly nervous. I spent almost seven months training because when you work with Pablo you can’t do anything by half. He demands, in the most wonderful way, that you really do the work and you really learn and train,” Jolie shared, as reported by Variety.
