Angelina Jolie was visibly moved by the overwhelming reception of her latest film.
Portraying the late opera singer Maria Callas in director Pablo Larraín’s film Maria, Jolie received an eight-minute standing ovation at its premiere on Thursday, August 29, at the Sala Grande Theater during the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
The 49-year-old Academy Award-winning actress appeared teary-eyed as applause erupted from the audience at the film’s conclusion. As she wiped away tears, she briefly turned her face away from the crowd and embraced Larraín, 48, along with her fellow cast members, savoring the moment of the audience’s admiration for the film.
Several attendees captured videos of Jolie during the standing ovation, sharing them across social media platforms. Ramin Setoodeh, Variety’s Editor-in-Chief, remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “Angelina Jolie’s 8-minute standing ovation at #Venezia81 for ‘Maria’ is the most rapturous applause I’ve seen at the festival since Brendan Fraser launched his Oscar campaign for The Whale here two years ago.”
For the premiere, Jolie dazzled in a custom strapless beige gown designed by Tamara Ralph, which featured a fur stole draped over her shoulders for a touch of wintery elegance, delicate drapery flowing down the silhouette, and a pleated skirt hem. Her blonde hair was styled in an effortless side part, and her makeup was minimal except for a bold red lip that matched her nails, adding a vibrant pop to her otherwise monochromatic, earth-toned look.
Before the film’s screening, Jolie opened up about the role’s challenges, sharing that it gave her unexpected emotional release. At a press conference on Thursday, she said, “The role provided me the ‘therapy [I] didn’t realize [I] needed,’” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. She continued, “I had no idea how much I was holding in and not letting out. So the challenge wasn’t 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.”
Reflecting on her decision to take on the role before filming began in 2022, Jolie expressed her dedication: “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 also shared his excitement, saying, “Having the chance to combine my two most deep and personal passions, cinema and opera, has been a long-awaited dream. To do this with Angelina, a supremely brave and curious artist, is a fascinating opportunity. A true gift.”
Maria chronicles 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 the press release. Although Netflix has acquired the rights to the film, a release date has not yet been set.
