At the Venice Film Festival, Angelina Jolie was visibly emotional as she received an overwhelming eight-minute standing ovation for her role in Maria, a biographical drama about the life of Greek opera singer Maria Callas. The actress teared up multiple times during the applause, with videos captured on the ground showing her wiping away tears as the audience showed their love and admiration. This powerful moment of recognition clearly left Jolie deeply moved. “I think in that vulnerability I share her vulnerability more than anything,” she reflected, acknowledging the outpouring of love she received during the event.

In her role as Maria Callas, Jolie connected deeply with the character’s emotional depth. “I think the way I related to her may be a surprise,” she explained. She revealed that what resonated with her the most was Callas’ soft and emotionally open nature, a part of her personality that she felt was often suppressed by the harsh demands of the world around her. Jolie noted how, like Callas, she too has faced moments of profound despair and emotional struggle, which she believes is captured through the music of opera. “There is only certain sounds that can match that feeling,” she said. “The immensity of the feeling encapsulated within the sounds of opera, there is nothing like it.”

The film, which is centered around opera and singing, naturally raised questions about whether Jolie would showcase her own vocal talents. At the festival, she shared that she trained for nearly seven months to prepare for the role, saying, “I’m always learning, trying to be better.” However, she also revealed that her voice in the movie would be blended with recordings of the real Maria Callas. Despite this, Jolie did perform some singing in the film, and she recalled her nerves before her first public performance. “I remember being so nervous. My sons were there, and they helped to block the door so nobody else could come in. I was shaky, I was frightened, and I had to live up to her,” Jolie admitted. Despite her initial fear, her performance clearly impressed, with the standing ovation suggesting that she had done justice to the role.

The film’s success at the festival and the positive response to her performance have already sparked discussions about potential Oscar recognition. Jolie expressed her gratitude for the praise, saying, “If there’s a response to the work, I’m very grateful.” She made it clear that her primary goal was to honor the legacy of Maria Callas and not do a disservice to the opera legend.

In addition to her emotional performance at the festival, Jolie’s appearance on the red carpet promoting Maria marked a significant moment in her career. The actress, who is known for her humanitarian work and larger-than-life roles, demonstrated her dedication to her craft, diving deep into the emotional complexity of the character and embracing the vulnerability required to bring Callas’ story to life. Fans and critics alike are eagerly anticipating the movie’s release, with many already praising Jolie’s portrayal and the emotional depth she brought to the role.