Playing Maria Callas in ‘Maria’ “helped heal a part of me”: Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie opened up about her transformative experience playing legendary opera singer Maria Callas in director Pablo Larrain’s biographical psychological drama ‘Maria’. In an interview reported by Deadline, Jolie described the role as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity, adding, “It’s certainly the most challenging.”

The film, written by Steven Knight and produced by Fremantle, follows the final days of the iconic soprano Maria Callas, who passed away from a heart attack in 1977. Jolie spent seven months preparing for the role, memorizing six tragic arias closely associated with Callas.

Jolie expressed her deep admiration for Callas, explaining how stepping into her shoes was an emotionally transformative experience. “It changed me as a person. It helped heal a part of me,” she shared. Recalling her journey from the first day on set to performing at La Scala in Milan, Jolie said the role was a deeply personal and healing process.

At its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Maria received an eight-minute standing ovation, with Jolie visibly moved by the overwhelming reception.