In brief
Angelina Jolie, known for her privacy, has opened up about the emotional impact of her role as opera singer Maria Callas in the upcoming film 'Maria'. In an interview with BBC News, the actress shared that her eldest sons, Maddox and Pax, who served as production assistants, witnessed her struggles and "the pain" she typically conceals. The film, a portrayal of Callas's final years, showcases Jolie's venture into opera, as she trained rigorously for the role, blending her own voice with recordings of Callas. Director Pablo Larraín expresses hope that the film will spark greater interest in opera, while Jolie's performance has garnered both praise and critique. The film is set to hit UK cinemas on January 10.
Jolie stated, “The character [Callas] has a lot of pain and they've of course seen me go through a lot of things, but they hadn’t experienced me expressing a lot of the pain that usually a parent hides from a child.” She emphasized the importance of showing her children the challenges she faces on set, describing it as an important and beautiful lesson in resilience.Taking on a role that required extensive vocal training and emotional depth, Jolie expressed her initial hesitance about singing, but embraced the challenge as an enriching experience. The film, which is part of Larraín’s trilogy focusing on iconic women, has been met with mixed reviews, praising Jolie’s performance while critiquing other aspects. As the film prepares for its UK release, Jolie hopes to bring opera closer to a wider audience, emphasizing its deep connection to the human experience.
