Angelina Jolie Receives Emotional Standing Ovation at Venice Film Festival for Role in Maria
Angelina Jolie experienced a deeply emotional moment at the 2024 Venice Film Festival following the premiere of her latest film, Maria. Portraying the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s much-anticipated biopic, Jolie, 49, was moved to tears as the audience at the Sala Grande Theater honored the film with an eight-minute standing ovation on Thursday, August 29.
The Academy Award-winning actress, visibly touched, wiped away tears and briefly turned away from the crowd, overwhelmed by the reception. Jolie embraced director Pablo Larraín, 48, and her fellow cast members as they stood together, soaking in the audience's warm response to the film.
The standing ovation quickly became a viral moment on social media, with several attendees sharing videos of the emotional scene. Variety’s Editor-in-Chief, Ramin Setoodeh, noted the intensity of the applause, comparing it to the reaction Brendan Fraser received at the same festival for The Whale two years prior.
For the premiere, Jolie stunned in a custom strapless beige gown by Tamara Ralph, complete with a fur stole, romantic drapery, and a pleated skirt hem. She complemented her look with a bold red lip and matching nails, adding a striking contrast to the earthy tones of her ensemble.
Before the film’s screening, Jolie opened up about the personal challenges she faced while embodying Callas. At a press conference, she described how the role served as a form of unexpected therapy, helping her confront and release emotions she hadn’t realized she was holding back. “The challenge wasn’t the technical, it was an emotional experience to find my voice, to be in my body, to express. You have to give every single part of yourself,” she said.
Jolie previously expressed her dedication to honoring Maria Callas's life and legacy when she took on the role in 2022. She highlighted her commitment to the project, stating, "I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria's life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge. Pablo Larraín is a director I have long admired. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria's story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream."
Larraín, who has previously explored the lives of iconic women in films like Jackie and Spencer, shared his excitement about combining his passions for cinema and opera in this project. He described working with Jolie as a "fascinating opportunity" and a "true gift."
Maria tells the "tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world's greatest opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris," according to a press release. While Netflix has acquired the distribution rights to the film, the release date has yet to be announced.
