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Maria (2024 film)

From Alfawiki
Maria (film)
Company typeFilm
IndustryFilm industry
Founded2024
FounderPablo Larraín (director), Steven Knight (screenwriter)
Headquarters
International (Italy, Chile, Germany, United States)
ProductsBiographical psychological drama film

Maria, a biographical psychological drama released in 2024, is directed by Pablo Larraín with a screenplay by Steven Knight. This film represents a collaborative international effort involving Italy, Chile, Germany, and the United States. It features Angelina Jolie portraying the renowned opera singer Maria Callas, centering on the final week of her life in 1977 Paris as she contemplates her personal and professional journey. The supporting ensemble includes Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Stephen Ashfield, Valeria Golino, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Maria is the concluding chapter of Larraín's trilogy dedicated to iconic women of the 20th century, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).

The film debuted at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Lion and garnered acclaim, particularly for Jolie's portrayal. Its limited theatrical release in the United States occurred on November 27, 2024, with streaming availability on Netflix commencing December 11. Subsequent theatrical openings took place in Italy on January 1 and Germany on February 6, 2025. Maria achieved a global box office total of $25.3 million and received nominations for Best Cinematography at the 97th Academy Awards as well as a Best Actress – Drama nod for Jolie at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.

Plot

Set in 1977, Maria Callas resides in her Parisian flat accompanied by her butler Ferruccio and housekeeper Bruna, endeavoring to stage a comeback after a prolonged period sidelined by health issues. Although Ferruccio urges her to consult a physician and regulate her medication use, Maria frequently abuses Mandrax, insisting it alleviates her condition despite adverse effects. She announces plans for a television interview; however, the crew led by a young director named "Mandrax" is revealed as a drug-induced hallucination. Concurrently, Maria holds private rehearsals with conductor Jeffrey Tate to evaluate her vocal capabilities.

These visions provoke reflections on her former relationship with Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis, who later wed Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Initially resisting his advances in 1957, Maria eventually fell deeply in love and left her spouse Giovanni Battista Meneghini. The couple parted ways publicly due to societal pressures, yet she clandestinely visited Onassis during his final moments, confessing her enduring affection.

Her hallucinations also conjure memories of being compelled by her mother during World War II to perform for Italian and German officers in exchange for money. She reconciles with her elder sister Yakinthi, acknowledging their shared hardships growing up.

Eventually, Maria consents to see Dr. Fontainebleau but initially conceals the extent of her drug consumption. At a follow-up visit, Fontainebleau informs her that her condition has deteriorated significantly and that she may no longer be able to sing professionally. In a concluding session with Tate, Maria records her voice, which has sadly lost its former strength. A Le Figaro journalist covertly observing the session confronts her with harsh questions about her career before Ferruccio intervenes.

Showing appreciation toward Ferruccio and Bruna for their unwavering support, Maria performs Vissi d'arte one final time with open windows. The performance moves Parisians gathered outside as well as the apparitions of Onassis and Mandrax within the apartment before they fade away. When Ferruccio and Bruna return, they discover Maria has passed away. Ferruccio promptly contacts Fontainebleau to report her death prior to authorities arriving on scene.

Cast

Production

The film was helmed by director Pablo Larraín with a screenplay penned by Steven Knight. Production responsibilities were shared among Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Lorenzo Mieli representing The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle entity, and Jonas Dornbach from Komplizen Film. Angelina Jolie was confirmed for the lead role in October 2022.

Principal photography commenced in Budapest during October 2023, extending to additional sites such as Paris; Milan, including scenes filmed at the La Scala opera house; and Greek locations Pyrgos and Katakolo. Sequences set aboard Onassis's yacht Christina O were captured on the actual vessel. Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas worked closely with Larraín to fuse aesthetic elements from the 1940s through the 1970s alongside surreal musical interludes. Jolie’s wardrobe, crafted by Massimo Cantini Parrini, featured 60 dresses inspired by Callas’ authentic attire; no new fur materials were procured, with guidance from animal welfare organizations including PETA.

Jolie dedicated nearly seven months to opera training, confronting initial difficulties and apprehensions regarding her vocal performance. Vocal coach Eric Vetro provided instruction on Callas' singing style, complemented by lessons from opera singer Lori Stinson. For earlier segments of the film, 90–95% of Callas’ original recordings were utilized with Jolie lip-syncing; her own singing is prominently showcased in the concluding act.

Release

Maria had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, where it competed for the prestigious Golden Lion. Netflix secured U.S. distribution rights just one day prior to the premiere. Internationally, distribution was overseen by FilmNation Entertainment, with releases managed by Mubi in Canada, 01 Distribution in Italy, and StudioCanal handling the UK, Germany, and Poland markets.

In the United States, the film saw a limited theatrical release beginning November 27, 2024, followed by availability on Netflix streaming starting December 11. Italian cinemas screened Maria starting January 1, 2025; it subsequently opened in the UK and Ireland on January 10 and later debuted in Germany on February 6.

Additionally, Maria was chosen for inclusion in the Limelight section at the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it was scheduled for screening in February 2025.

Critical response

John Vandevert of OperaWire expressed disapproval of the film, describing it as an "unpleasant depiction of a complex woman who can only be authentically represented by herself."

At its global debut in the Sala Grande Theatre, the film received an eight-minute standing ovation, a moment so powerful it brought Angelina Jolie to tears.

Director Paul Schrader included this film in his list of preferred movies released in 2024.

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Template:Refh
Venice International Film Festival September 7, 2024 Golden Lion Pablo Larraín Template:Nom [1]
Middleburg Film Festival October 20, 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinematography Edward Lachman Template:Won [2]
Celebration of Latino Cinema & Television October 22, 2024 Director Award – Film Pablo Larraín Template:Won [3]
Savannah Film Festival November 2, 2024 Auteur Award Template:Won [4]
Gotham Awards December 2, 2024 Performer Tribute Angelina Jolie Template:Honored [5]
Astra Film Awards December 8, 2024 Best Actress Template:Nom [6]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 12, 2024 Best Costume Design Massimo Cantini Parrini Template:Nom [7]
St. Louis Film Critics Association December 15, 2024 Best Cinematography Edward Lachman Template:Nom
Best Costume Design Massimo Cantini Parrini Template:Nom
Best Soundtrack Maria Template:Nom
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle December 15, 2024 Best Actress Angelina Jolie Template:Nom
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association December 18, 2024 Best Actress Template:Runner-up
Florida Film Critics Circle December 20, 2024 Best Art Direction / Production Design "Maria" "Template:Nom"
Palm Springs International Film Festival [[36th Palm Springs International Film Festival January 2, 2025]] Desert Palm Achievement for Best Actress rowspan="2"| Angelina Jolie Template:Honored
Golden Globe Awards [[82nd Golden Globe Awards January 5, 2025]] Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Template:Nominated
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards [[24th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards January 11, 2025]] Best Time Capsule Maria Template:Nom
Satellite Awards rowspan="3" [[29th Satellite Awards January 26, 2025]] Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Angelina Jolie Template:Nom
Best Cinematography Edward Lachman Template:Nom
Best Costume Design Massimo Cantini Parrini Template:Nom
Set Decorators Society of America Awards [[Set Decorators Society of America Awards 2024 February 2, 2025]] Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Period Feature Film Sandro Piccarozzi, Nóra Talmaier, Guy Hendrix Dyas Template:Nom
Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 5, 2025 Maltin Modern Master Award Angelina Jolie Template:Honored
Costume Designers Guild Awards [[27th Costume Designers Guild Awards February 6, 2025]] Excellence in Period Film Massimo Cantini Parrini Template:Nom
Critics' Choice Movie Awards rowspan="2" [[30th Critics' Choice Awards February 7, 2025]] Best Actress Angelina Jolie Template:Nom
Best Costume Design Massimo Cantini Parrini Template:Nom
American Society of Cinematographers Awards [[2024 American Society of Cinematographers Awards February 23, 2025]] Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases Edward Lachman Template:Won
Academy Awards [[97th Academy Awards March 2, 2025]] Best Cinematography Template:Nom


Works cited


External links

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