VENICE – Angelina Jolie has portrayed a diverse range of characters throughout her career, from evil queens to war correspondents. Now, she takes on the role of legendary opera singer Maria Callas in a new film directed by Pablo Larraín, set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Larraín, known for his exploration of the lives of iconic women with tragic stories, continues this theme with “Maria”. The film follows Larraín’s previous works on Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana, both of which earned lead actress Oscar nominations.

Maria Callas, born in New York to Greek parents, rose to become one of the greatest opera singers of all time. However, her success was accompanied by intense public scrutiny over her personal life and relationships, including a high-profile romance with Aristotle Onassis.

Angelina Jolie underwent six months of training to prepare for the role, tackling the challenges of portraying Callas’ final days in 1977. The film showcases a blend of Jolie’s acting skills and Callas’ real-life singing.

Jolie, a two-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner, brings her versatility to the role of Maria Callas, adding another layer to her acclaimed career. The film has been acquired by Netflix for distribution.

“Maria” is one of the 21 films competing for awards at the Venice Film Festival, with winners set to be announced on Sept. 7. Jolie is expected to leave Venice before her ex-husband Brad Pitt arrives for the premiere of his film “Wolfs” on Sunday.

For more coverage of the 2024 Venice Film Festival, visit here.