Angelina Jolie had a heartfelt moment at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday.
The Oscar-winning actress attended the premiere of her upcoming film Maria and was met with overwhelming applause after the screening. The crowd’s enthusiastic and extended cheers left Jolie visibly moved, and she was seen wiping away tears as she was escorted down the theater’s staircase.
Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, is a biopic in which Jolie plays Maria Callas, one of the most celebrated opera singers in history. Set in 1970s Paris, the film explores Callas’ tumultuous life and her final days. The premiere has already generated a buzz, sparking discussions of potential Oscar nominations.
Larraín is known for directing Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021), which both earned Academy Award nominations for their lead actresses, Natalie Portman and Kristen Stewart, respectively.
At a press conference earlier in the day, Jolie shared that she felt a surprising connection with Callas. “I relate to the part of her that’s extremely soft but struggled to find space in the world for that vulnerability,” she said. “I share her sensitivity more than anything.”
Netflix announced on Wednesday that Maria will be available on its streaming platform at a later date.
