Pablo Larraín about Maria

The director, Pablo Larraín, presented the final installment of his trilogy at the 62nd annual New York Film Festival on September 29. Titled "Maria," the film portrays the last days of opera legend Maria Callas, with Angelina Jolie taking on the challenging role of the iconic singer. Larraín expressed his long-standing desire to create a movie centered around opera, a passion that he shares with cinema. He emphasized the significance of Maria Callas in opera history, highlighting her vocal prowess and acting abilities.

In an interview with IndieWire, Larraín explained the extensive preparation Jolie underwent for the film, including months of training to master the nuances of opera singing. He detailed the technical aspects involved in blending Jolie's voice with Callas' in post-production to ensure authenticity. The director praised Jolie's dedication and performance, underscoring the importance of believability in portraying the character's singing on screen.

The film will have a limited theatrical release in the United States before streaming on Netflix, a platform Larraín commended for its impact on the film industry. Despite his preference for traditional theatrical screenings, Larraín acknowledged the evolving landscape of movie consumption and expressed satisfaction with his collaboration with Netflix on "Maria" and his previous project, "El Conde."

Reflecting on the industry's rapid transformation, Larraín anticipated further changes ahead, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the film distribution landscape.