Angelina Jolie hit the ground running at the Venice Film Festival and gave further insights into her upcoming film Mary.
During a press conference ahead of the film's premiere on Thursday, August 29, the Oscar-winning actress spoke about her preparations for the role of opera singer Maria Callas, admitting that she was quite nervous but managed to persevere thanks to the help of some people close to her.
“I was terribly nervous; I trained for almost seven months,” said Jolie, 49. “I remember how nervous I was the first time I sang. My sons were there and helped block the door. [so] that no one else was coming in and I was shaking.”
“And [director Pablo Larraín]in his decency, started me in a small room and finished me in the Scala,” she added. “So he gave me time to grow. I was afraid [Callas].”
When asked later in the press conference if she had a favorite karaoke song, the actress joked: “I've never sung before. [movie] Well, I haven't done any karaoke yet, but maybe some now!”
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Mary is based on true accounts of Callas' life and career and details the beautiful and tragic story of the singer, who is considered one of the greatest opera stars of all time.
Larraín, 48, continues his biographical film work after playing Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in Spencer and Natalie Portman as former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Jackieand he hopes to continue the success with Jolie in Mary.
“I am incredibly excited about the start of production of Marywhich I hope will bring Maria Callas' remarkable life and work closer to audiences around the world, thanks to Steven Knight's superb script, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially Angelina's brilliant work and exceptional preparation,” the director said previously in a statement.
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Pablo Larrain
Mary marks Jolie's return to the big screen after last starring in the 2021 superhero film Eternal.
Jolie expressed her and her children’s enthusiasm for the Marvel film back in 2021, but later said fashion in September 2023 that she is currently “in transition as a person,” adding: “I've been feeling a little down lately. I feel like I haven't been myself in a decade.”
During Thursday's press conference in Venice, she said: “I've had to be at home with my family more in recent years, and during this time I've perhaps become more grateful to have the opportunity to… be in this creative world that we're all lucky enough to be a part of.”
The Venice Film Festival takes place from August 28 to September 7.
