‘You don’t know me’ - Price Prediction

As a seasoned observer of the entertainment industry, it is truly refreshing to witness an artist like Angelina Jolie who not only excels in her craft but also demonstrates a deep commitment to personal growth and artistic expression. Her portrayal of Maria Callas in “Maria” serves as a testament to her versatility as an actress and her unwavering dedication to understanding the complexities of the characters she plays.

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Maria Callas was globally renowned, recognized not only for her exceptional operatic performances but also for her high-profile relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Similarly, Angelina Jolie is widely known, and while she’s equally associated with Brad Pitt, it wasn’t these personal connections that inspired her to play Maria Callas in Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s recent film, “Maria”.

The 49-year-old explains that she found it difficult, but appealing, when I inquire about her motivation for accepting the role. “As artists,” she notes, “we seek out tasks that scare us, things we’re unsure if we can accomplish.” Ultimately, the chance to collaborate with Larraín was the deciding factor. She admits, “My initial step was Pablo. I’ve always aspired to work with him.

Previously, Larraín has produced two dramas centered around iconic 20th-century women: the 2016 film “Jackie” (focusing on Jackie Kennedy) and the 2021 movie “Spencer” (concerning Diana, Princess of Wales, written by Steven Knight, who also worked on “Peaky Blinders”). According to him, Callas was remarkable in her artistry and excellence. She revolutionized opera and left a significant mark on fashion history, but surprisingly, many aspects of her life remain unknown.

In previous interviews, Larraín stated that he felt Jolie was suitable for the role because both she and Callas possessed an enigmatic quality. However, it’s clear that many of us, even those not deeply engrossed in celebrity culture, are well-aware of Jolie’s life story. From her rebellious childhood as the daughter of John Voight, to her unconventional marriages with Billy Bob Thornton and Brad Pitt, through their custody battles and her health choices like a preventive double mastectomy, to her humanitarian work on refugee rights – we know quite a bit about Jolie. Yet, the question remains: where is this elusive mystery that Larraín mentioned?

Jolie firmly states, “I am not as familiar to you as you may think.” Larraín elaborates, “You might recognize her from films, news articles, or social media, but the image you have in your mind and the actual person are two different entities. Angelina is quite enigmatic, and the more famous she becomes, the greater the allure of mystery surrounding her.

I wanted to do something I was afraid of – but I wasn’t ready to visit this level of truth and pain

Angelina Jolie spent several months mastering opera singing to portray Maria Callas in the movie. Instead of using lip-syncing, her voice was combined with Callas’s original recordings. The promotional campaign for “Maria” emphasized the rigorous training Jolie underwent, leading some to question whether it was necessary. I asked skeptically if she did it to increase her chances of award nominations if she sang live instead of lip-syncing. However, Jolie denies this. She explains that opera singing isn’t something that can be faked; it requires a deep, full-body commitment for the performance to be authentic.

After mastering opera singing, does she now serenade “Ave Maria” while washing dishes? Jolie chuckles, “You see, with opera, you need to sing it quite powerfully. There have been times when everyone’s left, allowing me the freedom to sing as loudly as I want.

The setting for Maria is 1977, which marks the last year of Callas’s life and also the year that the Sex Pistols released “God Save the Queen” and the Clash debuted their first album. Jolie was born two years prior in LA, and her musical preferences leaned more towards Lydon and Strummer rather than Caruso and Callas. Despite the stark contrast between the raw fury of punk and the dramatic intensity of opera, for Jolie, the Clash and Callas shared more similarities than one might initially assume. “Nowadays,” she asserts, “it’s all about what’s trendy and appeals to algorithms.” “Punk,” she continues, “was a rebellion against what was forced upon us and what was considered popular and normal. Punk wasn’t about conforming or following the crowd. In her unique way, Maria Callas embodied punk spirit.

Occasionally, Jolie reveals unexpected moments of raw sincerity in person. She admits that learning to sing opera compelled her to venture into areas that were unsettling. “I had to go to places I wasn’t sure I was prepared to confront, such as the depths of truth and pain,” she explains. Frequently, she makes comments about this role that could be interpreted as veiled allusions to her own experiences. At another point, she notes, “You can see her passion for her work, but you can also sense a level of stress and distress.” Perhaps, she isn’t only referring to Callas in this instance; the pressure and pain may have been an integral part of her life as well, not just her creativity.

I became very emotional singing opera — it’s primal

She notes, quite poignantly, that singing opera served as a therapeutic outlet for her. “I would suggest this experience to anyone. Life’s hardships often linger within us, affecting our physical wellbeing and posture. However, opera singing requires the release of these stored emotions, especially from deep within the body. This process can be quite intense and emotional, as it taps into our most primal feelings.

Before chatting with Jolie, I’d previously watched an interview from 1974 featuring Callas on American television, conducted by Mike Wallace. This interview was quite challenging, and Wallace asked questions about Callas’ singing ability and personal relationships that I find hard to believe contemporary stars would be questioned about today. As my discussion with her and Larraín concludes, I find myself wondering – does she think modern celebrities are unduly shielded from such probing interview questions?

She mentions, ‘I’m unsure if it’s preserved or if it’s been made less valuable.’ In retrospect, the earlier discussions could have delved deeper. I recall watching Callas’s ancient interviews where they had lengthy chats about her artistry. However, no one has ever done that for me. She was treated with respect.

Absolutely, Jolie is now recognized for her efforts as a human rights advocate; however, one might also argue that her dedication to portraying Maria Callas authentically, singing in real life, and delving into the depths of her personal experiences for this role could be interpreted as a call for recognition not just for her activism, but also for her artistic talent.

She expresses that she hasn’t taken time to simply savor the experience of being an artist, as it often gets caught up in celebrity or business matters. She views her role in the project named Maria as a chance to rediscover art and her identity as an artist. This role is helping her reconnect with her artistic side through Maria.

2024-12-13 20:39

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