"The emotion is genuine, the tears are genuine, the pain is genuine": Angelina Jolie discusses embodying Maria Callas.

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After watching the film and learning about Maria Callas, it’s evident why you were chosen to play Angelina. Both of you are larger-than-life figures whose artistry has touched everyone who had the privilege to experience it. So, Pablo, when did you realize that Angelina was the perfect fit for this role? Pablo: We met many years ago, and from the very beginning, even before we had a script or anything, I reached out to her and asked, 'Would you play Maria Callas?' Because, honestly, without her, I don’t think there would be a movie. She was central to the process. Maria Callas was a mysterious person, and I believe Angie has that same aura and can portray it exceptionally well. It’s the interplay between what she’s willing to express in certain moments and when she chooses to remain closed off that compels the audience to question and reflect. To me, that’s the essence of cinema—when the audience is actively involved, trying to grasp what is being conveyed, or left unsaid, on screen. Without Angie, there would be no movie. In short, haha.

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Angelina, when did it become clear to you that you could relate to Maria’s life, and how did you combine that understanding to craft this perfect portrayal of her? Angelina: Thank you. Pablo and I had met before, and I was eager to collaborate with him. I knew if he saw something in me, even if I wasn’t entirely sure, there was something I could learn from his perspective. I understood the importance of opera and Maria Callas in his life, and I was deeply honored that he considered me—not only because of her but also because I knew how much this project meant to him. There was a moment when I had to pause and make sure I could take on the role. I never want to take on something I don’t believe I can do, and this one was intimidating. But as I began watching, I encourage you to do the same—watch some of her later interviews. Read the reviews of her final concert; they’re harsh. They are incredibly cruel. When you study her life, her work, and the impact she had, and think about her last years, you can’t help but feel deeply protective of her. You want to understand her, but also to contribute something that is crafted with love.

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Angelina: That’s a great question – yes, it was very exposing. This film required a lot of openness from me and was incredibly revealing. When you’re acting, the emotion is genuine—the tears are real, the pain is real—but you’re drawing it from different aspects of your life, and it’s truly you. What was particularly interesting for me was that two of my sons worked on the film. They had seen me perform many times before, and they know me as an artist. But this was the first time they saw me in an extremely emotional scene, and they came in a little worried. I realized there’s a part of me, a vulnerability and pain, that I don’t often share with my children. This process was a different kind of openness—showing them that living an honest life means feeling everything. Yes, your mother has pain and sadness, but she’s still okay, and everything will be fine. That’s when I realized that I was revealing more of myself than I had before.