Angelina Jolie's latest film is set for a Netflix release following its premiere at Venice Film Festival.
Maria, a biopic starring Jolie in the titular role of Maria Callas, will be released on Netflix in the US "at a later date" following its festival debut today (August 29). Studiocanal will release the movie in the UK.
Director Pablo Larraín, who also created the Princess Diana film Spencer and Jacqueline Kennedy biopic Jackie, said he was excited to partner with the streamer for the release.
"I’m excited to partner again with the Netflix team who care so passionately about movies. This film is my most personal work yet," he said in a statement.
Related: First trailer for Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton's new movie
"It is a creative imagining and psychological portrait of Maria Callas, who, after dedicating her life to performing for audiences around the world, decides finally to find her own voice, her own identity, and sing for herself. I’m deeply honoured to tell this story and share it with audiences worldwide, like Maria did with her life."
What to Read Next
The cast also includes The Hummingbird's Pierfrancesco Favino, La Chimera star Alba Rohrwacher, Winter Sleep actor Haluk Bilginer, Elvis' Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire star Valeria Golino.
The script was written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, with Juan de Dios Larraín, Jonas Dornbach and Lorenzo Mieli producing.
A synopsis for the film reads: "Maria tells the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris."
Related: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice first reactions land ahead of cinema release
The director's statement for Venice Film Festival added: "Maria Callas, the greatest opera singer of all time, undoubtedly had a most unique, beautiful, and tormented life. This is the story of her last days, a celebration depicted through memories, friends, and, most importantly, her singing."
Speaking at the Venice Film Festival conference (per Variety), Salt star Jolie shared that she spent "almost seven months" training in opera singing for the role, saying: "Everybody here knows, I was terribly nervous.
"I spent almost seven months training because when you work with Pablo you can’t do anything by half. He demands, in the most wonderful way, that you really do the work and you really learn and train.
"My first time singing I remember being so nervous. My sons were there and they helped lock the door so that nobody else was coming in, and I was shaky. Pablo, in his decency, started me in a small room and ended me in La Scala. So he gave me time to grow."
Maria premieres at Venice Film Festival on August 29. It is set to come to Netflix US "at a later date". A UK release date has not been confirmed.
You Might Like...
