Noeven the time to announce the start date of filming Mary (Callas)new biopic film by Pablo Larraín (now on Netflix with El Condebest screenplay in Venice 2023), which here ticks off first two photos of Angelina Jolie as the divine, or, if you prefer, of the nightingale. Two very different photos. One portrays her in a domestic version, thick-rimmed glasses used by Maria from the 1960s onwards (twins of those of Pier Paolo Pasolini); the other definitely seems to recall the glorious fifties in everything – ermine neck (!) and hair.
Jolie is certainly not the first actress to attempt a portrait of Callas. The latest in time it was Monica Bellucci at the theater, in Paris. While at the cinema we remember Fanny Ardant in Callas Forever Of Franco Zeffirellireleased in 2002.
Angelina Jolie is Maria Callas: what we know about the film
Specializing in female biopics (he gave Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart Jackie And Spencer), Pablo decided this time to explore the life of the soprano legendary and controversial. One of the women who invented stardom, becoming entangled both in absolute fame and in the tragedy of a lonely creature in a Paris apartment, without love and with a compromised voice).
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in “Maria”, a film by Pablo Larrain. (Fremantle)
Based on real facts, Mary will tell the story of the tumultuous life of Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalos, born in New York on December 2, 1923. Focusing on the seventies, precisely on the final moments of her life. But her flashbacks will span her entire career. Eight weeks of filming are planned, she will be divided between Paris, Greece, Budapest and Milan.
The screenplay, completed before the writers’ strike, is written by Steven Knight (formerly behind Spencer, Peaky Blinders, Eastern Promises).
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in “Maria”, a film by Pablo Larrain. (Fremantle)
The Italian cast of Mary
The cast also includes three Italian actors, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher and Valeria Golino. Then Haluk Bilginer (Winter Sleep), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the DogOscar nomination for supporting actor).
Regarding the project, Pablo Larraín added that he hopes the film will be a way to make the world discover the extraordinary nature of Callas. That Steven Knight’s screenplay is magnificent and that, obviously, the presence of Angelina Jolie, her extraordinary dedication to acting and preparing the character, is a factor of great excitement for him and for the whole team.
Jolie’s costumes are designed based on original designs worn by Maria. Regarding fur, after consultations with animal rights groups, including PETA, the production decided to use only vintage clothes from the costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini (nominated twice for an Oscar: in 2021 for Pinocchio of Garrone and in 2022 for Cyrano by Joe Wright).
Mary is produced by Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film and by Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment, Fremantle Company.
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