The true story behind Angelina Jolie's new Netflix film, Maria.

Angelina Jolie is returning to our screens this year with her performance in Netflix's Maria. And it may just be the one that leads to her next Oscars win.

As we very well know, Jolie is no stranger to acclaimed performances and award success, most notably her Academy Award-winning performance as Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted. Not to mention her directorial credits, like Unbroken and First They Killed My Father. She has gone from the infamous villain (or dare I say, hero?) in Maleficent, to a courageous smokejumper in Those Who Wish Me Dead, and everything in between.

So why is this particular performance generating so much Oscars buzz? Find out everything we know about Jolie's next film, Maria.

See Angelina Jolie on the red carpet for her film Maria at the Venice Film Festival 2024. Article continues after video. 

What is Maria about?

Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria is based on true events, and follows one of the greatest opera singers of all time, Maria Callas. The film captures Maria in her final days in Paris in the 1970s.

Maria slips in and out of the opera singer's current reality, hallucinations, and flashbacks, showing the beauty and tragedy of Maria's life.

"I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria's life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge," Jolie previously said in a statement. "Pablo Larraín is a director I have long admired. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria's story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream."

Known for blending fact and fiction in his biopics surrounding prominent and iconic women (like 2016's Jackie and 2021's Spencer), Larraín beautifully captures the essence of this legendary diva and the challenges she sometimes faced as a great icon of the opera world.

When asked about the meaning of the word 'diva' at the Venice Film Festival, Larraín explained, "Being a perfectionist, being someone really tough and disciplined… you know, Maria Callas would go to a rehearsal and if any of the other singers would miss one word she would leave. And then she became, amongst other things, a diva. She was just tough with the world and that's called discipline."

At the Venice Film Festival, Jolie further discussed the word 'diva' with press.

"Diva is a word with very negative connotations," she said. "But I learned the true meaning of this definition from Callas, from (the Bellini aria) 'Casta Diva.' She was one of the hardest-working people for her career; the composers who created opera music know what it means."

Speaking to what she has in common with Callas, Jolie revealed they share a certain vulnerability.

"What I believe I share with Callas is vulnerability," she added. "To portray her, I watched recordings of her teaching and saying that the first thing you must do is not think about how you feel but listen to the music and understand what the composer wants to convey, and only at the end can you listen to your own emotions. I think there are parts of this film that speak to people's lives more than one might imagine."

Angelina Jolie attends the Maria premiere in Venice. Image: Getty.

What is the true story behind Angelina Jolie's movie Maria?

Who is the woman behind the film? Maria Callas was one of the most notorious and influential opera singers of the 20th Century, who was no stranger to both stardom and scandal.

Born in New York City to Greek-immigrant parents, Callas emerged as one of the most iconic soprano opera singers to ever live. Though Callas had a challenging upbringing, including a tumultuous relationship with her mother, she eventually made her way to some of the most notable opera houses and theatres in the 1950s. Callas' incredible talent led her to eventually be hailed as 'La Divina' or the Divine One.

Amongst the press, Callas developed a reputation of being 'high-maintenance' — mostly as a result of her strict and passionate dedication to her craft. And though she fought to maintain her standards of excellence from those around her, Callas was always adamant on remembering where she came from.

"Be careful when you say 'ghetto'… music comes from there," Callas told French journalist Philippe Caloni in 1977 in her final interview. "I've almost never seen a great musician who had an upper-class background. There's something good about ghettos because if you come from there, it makes you want more. It makes you say, 'One day I'll be someone'."

Over a relatively short musical career, a combination of Callas' perfectionist attitude towards her work, her immense talent, and her complicated personal life, led to her being known as a goddess-like-star and one of the world's greatest 'divas'.

Following her final performance in November 1974, Callas retreated from public life. She died at home in September 1977 after suffering a heart attack. She was 53.

Who is the cast of Maria?

We have heard so much about the woman at the centre of the film, and rightfully so. But who else is in the cast of Maria?

Joining Jolie on the screen will be Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts), Haluk Bilginer (Persona), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog), Stephen Ashfield and Valeria Golino (For Your Love).

The cast of Maria at Venice Film Festival 2024. Image: Getty.

Is Angelina Jolie singing in Maria?

If you thought Jolie couldn't get any more talented, writing, directing, and acting… Well, it turns out she can. During a press conference for Maria at Venice Film Festival, Jolie confirmed she will indeed be singing in the film.

"My first time singing, I remember being so nervous," she said. "My sons were there, and they helped to block the door (so) that nobody else was coming in… I was frightened to live up to her, and I had not sung in public."

Jolie reveals her children have since become big opera fans.

"Now, there's a lot of opera in the house," Jolie told the press in Venice. "My kids listened to it for so long that they now appreciate it, and I hope many will approach opera after this film. I was rather punk before and loved the Clash. But when your life is so full of pain and despair, at a certain point, there are some sounds that touch these feelings better. And opera is the only sound that explains this pain."

Angelina Jolie is seen at Venice Film Festival 2024. Image: Getty Images

Where can I watch Maria with Angelia Jolie?

Maria premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, however, for the rest of us hoping to stream it at home, it will be available to watch on Netflix.

Maria will be showing in select theatres from November 27, before becoming available to stream on Netflix on December 11.

Watch the first official trailer for Maria below.

Feature Image: Getty.