Angelina Jolie Moved to Tears During Standing Ovation For ‘Maria’ at Venice Film Festival

Angelina Jolie, starring as the iconic opera singer ‘Maria Callas’ in Pablo Larraín’s Maria, was deeply moved by an extended standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. The audience’s applause, which lasted for eight minutes, brought the actress to tears as the film concluded, and she turned away momentarily to compose herself. Jolie embraced Larraín and her fellow cast members, sharing in the emotional response to the film’s reception.

Social media buzzed with footage of the touching moment, with some noting the ovation as one of the most enthusiastic seen at the festival in recent years. For the premiere, Jolie wore a custom strapless beige Tamara Ralph gown, paired with a fur stole, and added a striking red lip that contrasted her monochromatic outfit.

Image Courtesy: People

Before the screening, Jolie opened up about the challenges of portraying Callas, explaining how the role provided an unexpected emotional release. She expressed how the experience of embodying the famed soprano allowed her to confront emotions she had kept suppressed, making the role more than just a technical challenge.

The actress shared that the role of Maria Callas offered her a therapeutic outlet, enabling her to express herself in ways she hadn’t before. She emphasised the significance of this emotional journey, stating that it required her to give every part of herself to the character.

Reflecting on taking on such a revered role, Jolie stated that she felt a deep responsibility to honour Callas’s life and legacy. She expressed her commitment to meeting the challenge, praising Larraín and screenwriter Steven Knight for giving her the opportunity to tell this story.

Larraín echoed Jolie’s sentiments, describing the project as a merging of his passions for cinema and opera. He praised Jolie for her bravery and curiosity as an artist, calling the opportunity to work with her on ‘Maria’ a true gift.

-Sushmita Sarkar