Famous Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie said that other people's view of a woman too often defines who she is, talking about her new film in which she plays the famous opera singer Maria Callas.
"Maria," by Chilean director Pablo Larain, premiered Thursday at the Venice Film Festival, but has already sparked Oscar buzz for Jolie's portrayal of the diva.
At the press conference, the actress was just asked what she thinks about the word "diva", to which she replied that she thinks that term often carries a lot of negative connotations.
"I learned the meaning of that word again through Marija, now I have a new relationship with her. It is often someone else's perception of a woman that defines too much who she is and who she was. I think Marija was one of the most valuable people who never hurt anyone," she said. is an actress.
The film, which has been acquired by Netflix for distribution in the US, focuses on the last week of Callas' life in 1977 in Paris.
The soprano is deeply isolated, cared for only by her butler (played by Pierfrancesco Favino) and housekeeper (Alba Rorwaher) - worried about her health, medication and the devastating effects of her weakened voice.
Jolie also revealed that she trained for almost seven months to perform the opera. She said she had never sung in public before and was extremely nervous about filming the scenes at the packed La Scala theater in Paris.
"I remember the first time I sang and I was so nervous. My sons were there and they helped to lock the door so no one else could enter, and I was shaking," the actress recalled.
Callas, who was born Maria Kalogeropoulos to a Greek family in New York, made her professional debut in Athens at the age of 17 and became one of the greatest opera singers of all time, with her unsurpassed voice and stage presence.
But she also faced public condemnation for her high demands and diva behavior, her weight and her love life. Kalas had a relationship with ship owner Aristotle Onassis, who left her for Jackie Kennedy. She died in Paris at the age of 53 from a heart attack.
Jolie, who has been in the spotlight in recent years because of her public and difficult divorce from Brad Pitt, said that in some ways she identifies with Kalas.
The actress is expected to leave Venice before Pitt arrives for the premiere of his film "Wolves" on Sunday. Although legally divorced as of 2019, they continue to fight over issues such as custody, finances and vineyards in France.
"There's a lot I won't say in this room, and you probably know and assume everything. I identify with that part of her that is extremely tender and hasn't had enough room in the world to show how tender and emotionally open she really was. I think I share her vulnerability more than anything else," Jolie said with a smile.
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