35/41

I’m in the mood to be pointed at

Chronology

Maria Callas, the world’s greatest opera singer, lives out the last days of her life in 1970s Paris, while grappling with her identity and her life. Angelina Jolie and director Pablo Larraín discuss how they approached the heartbreaking true story of famed opera singer Maria Callas. The third and final film in Pablo Larraín’s so-called “Lady in Heels” trilogy of female-led biopics, following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021). Maria Callas: Book me a table at a bar where the waiters know who I am. Featured in Close-Up: Why do We Need the Venice Film Festival?

Mysteries and Scandals about Maria Callas

(2024). Otello Act 4: “Ave Maria” (Desdemona)Performed by Maria Callas, Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du ConservatoireConductor: Nicola RescignoWritten by Giuseppe Verdi, Arrigo BoitoA Warner Classics release, (p) 1964 Parlophone Records LimitedRemastered 2014 Parlophone Records LimitedCourtesy of Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH, a Warner Music Group company. I’m coming at this from another angle. I was an opera singer for many years and I did an E! Although Angelina Jolie shines in the role, this wasn’t really representative of the real Maria Callas.

was not Maria

That’s the fault of the script and the director’s approach. First, I could have used more music instead of having most of it in the background. We see a standing audience shouting “Bravo” after “Qui la voce.” Only we didn’t hear “Qui la voce,” just a few bars and no coloratura. This detached attitude that Callas had during her interviews, etc. The interview she gave to John Ardoin, where she asked that the tapes not be played until after she died, with the most heartbreaking thing you will ever hear in your life.

Just an opinion

She was unhappy, codependent, and never got over her affair with Onassis. She was a very damaged woman. I didn’t really get much of that from this film. There were some inaccuracies too, but that’s to be expected in a script that has to telescope a life. Maria Callas was a great artist and a deeply complicated human being.

This film didn’t even come close to who she was

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