Angelina Jolie: “Maria Callas was a punk”

As a longtime fan of both Angelina Jolie and Maria Callas, I must say that watching Jolie portray Callas in the film “Maria” was nothing short of mesmerizing. The parallels between their lives are undeniable, but it’s the similarities in their artistry that truly resonated with me.

Maria Callas, a renowned woman globally, was not just recognized for her exceptional opera performances but also for her notable relationship with the equally acclaimed Aristotle Onassis. Her professional accomplishments were often matched by the attention garnered by her personal life.

angelina jolie, a globally recognized actress, is often associated with her illustrious partner brad pitt, making headlines not only for her outstanding career but also for their high-profile relationship.

The external similarities didn’t prompt Angelina Jolie to play the opera diva in Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s newest movie, “Maria”. Instead, there were other factors that influenced her decision.

When I asked why she decided to accept the role, she replied it was a tough task. As artists often do, she wanted to tackle something that made her feel apprehensive, unsure if she could pull it off. Ultimately, the chance to collaborate with Larraín was the deciding factor for her. She mentioned that her initial step was working with Pablo, someone she’s always aspired to work with.

Previously, Larraín has produced two dramas centered on renowned 20th-century women: the 2016 film “Jackie,” which focused on Jackie Kennedy, and the 2021 release “Spencer,” which revolves around Diana, Princess of Wales. Both films were penned by Steven Knight, who is also known for creating Peaky Blinders.

In my perspective, Callas reached an unparalleled level of elegance and excellence in her artistry. She revolutionized the world of opera and left a profound mark on fashion history. However, despite her significant impact, there remains a surprising amount of mystery surrounding her life.

Previously, Larraín mentioned that he thought Jolie was fitting for the role because they both exuded an air of enigma. However, it’s worth noting that Jolie is well-known enough even to those not deeply invested in celebrity details.

Descendant of Jon Voight, Angelina Jolie, has quite an extraordinary life story. She was once married to Billy Bob Thornton, a union marked by the unique custom of wearing each other’s blood in lockets. After that, she tied the knot with Brad Pitt, and their divorce, involving custody disputes over their six children, was highly publicized. Interestingly, Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy upon learning about her risk for breast cancer. Furthermore, she is actively engaged in advocacy work for refugee rights and humanitarian causes. I find myself knowing more about her than what might be considered typical or appropriate. Now, the question remains: What hidden truths does this global icon conceal?

Jolie firmly states, ‘I’m not the person you think I am, based on what you see in movies, newspapers, or social media.’ Larraín elaborates, ‘The image you might have of me is different from my true self. Angelina is quite enigmatic, and as she becomes more famous, there’s an increasing layer of mystery surrounding her.’

Jolie spent several months mastering opera singing to portray Maria Callas in the movie. Instead of lip-syncing, her voice was blended with Callas’s authentic one. The advertising for the film emphasized the rigorous training Jolie underwent, leading some to question if it was necessary. I asked skeptically if she opted for live singing to avoid award nomination snubs, but she denies this. According to her, opera can’t be faked; it needs a genuine, full-body involvement for the performance to occur.

After mastering opera singing, one might wonder if she sings Ave Maria while washing dishes. Jolie grins, “Opera requires a lot of volume in singing. There have been times when everyone leaves so I can let loose with my full voice.

Maria is situated in 1977, which marked both the last year of Callas’s life and significant music milestones such as the Sex Pistols releasing “God Save the Queen” and the Clash debuting their first album. In contrast to this classical era, Jolie was born two years prior in LA, and her musical preferences leaned more towards the punk sounds of Lydon (Johnny Rotten) and Strummer rather than the operatic melodies of Caruso or Callas.

Still, while the jagged fury of punk might seem far from the heightened drama of opera, for Jolie, the Clash and Callas had more in common than might be suspected. “Today, so much is about what is popular and what hits the algorithm,” she argues. “Punk was the opposite. It was defiance against what was shoved down your throat and what everybody liked and what was normal. Punk wasn’t complacency or following. So I think in her own way Maria Callas was a punk.”

On occasion, Jolie reveals moments of raw, unanticipated sincerity in person. She admits that mastering opera singing led her to places she found discomfort in. “I had to go to places I wasn’t sure I was prepared to confront truth and pain,” she explains. This pattern is common for her – making statements about this role that might be interpreted as veiled allusions to her personal life. At another point, she observes, “You can see her passion for her work, but you can also sense a level of stress and suffering.” Perhaps, this sentiment doesn’t only apply to Callas, but maybe it reflects her own experiences as well. “She was never free from it [the stress and suffering],” Jolie says, “because the pressure and pain were not just tied to her creative process.

She adds, tellingly, that she found singing opera to be a form of therapy. “I would recommend it for anybody. When people go through things in their life it stores in their body. It gets in your stomach and your posture changes – but to sing opera you have to unlock all those parts. I became very emotional because when you start to let it out it’s very, very primal.”

Before talking with Jolie, I had previously seen an interview between Callas and Mike Wallace on American television from 1974. The conversation was intense, and Wallace asked probing questions about Callas’ singing abilities and personal relationships that I find hard to imagine modern celebrities being asked. Thus, after speaking with her and Larraín, I have to wonder – does she think today’s stars are overly shielded when it comes to interviews?

She remarks, ‘I’m not sure if it’s still valued or transformed into something less expensive.’ Recalling past interviews, a more comprehensive discussion could have been possible. I’ve noticed how they spent hours delving into Callas’s artistry in her old interviews. However, no one has ever given me that level of serious consideration.

Absolutely, Jolie is now recognized for her work as a human rights advocate; however, one might argue that her dedication to portraying Maria Callas authentically, singing with sincerity, and delving into the depths of her personal life for this role could equally be seen as a request to be respected for her artistic abilities, just as much as for her activism.

She mentions that she hasn’t taken time to simply appreciate her artistic journey due to the focus on fame or commerce. Being an artist is a blessing, and playing the character of Maria has reminded her of this. Through the character of Maria, she is finding renewed appreciation for art and being an artist.

2024-12-10 04:34

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