Angelina Jolie Opens Up About Emotional Journey Filming 'Maria'

Angelina Jolie is making waves with her latest film 'Maria,' a biopic about the renowned opera singer Maria Callas. In a recent interview with BBC News, Jolie candidly opened up about the emotional toll her role took on her, and how her eldest sons, Maddox and Pax, witnessed the pain usually kept hidden from her children. The 48-year-old actress described how they became production assistants on-set, supporting her through moments of vulnerability. "The character [Callas] has a lot of pain and they've of course seen me go through a lot of things,” Jolie explained, “but they hadn't experienced me expressing a lot of the pain that usually a parent hides from a child.” She appreciated the connection, noting that her sons would offer comfort in the form of hugs and tea during tougher scenes. Written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, the film focuses on Callas's later life in the 1970s while living in Paris. Jolie's nuanced portrayal is positioned as a come-back opportunity for the actress, with many speculating it could land her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Jolie embraced the physical challenges of learning opera, stating that the rigorous training over seven months involved mastering complex breathwork. "It was very physically demanding,” she remarked. The actress, known for roles in 'Maleficent' and 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith', acknowledged that she had never sung publicly before this project, revealing her initial shyness about performing. The director, Pablo Larraín, mentioned that Maddox and Pax proved themselves as valuable contributors, emphasizing their professional demeanor on set. Jolie spoke of the importance of resilience, sharing that having her sons witness her struggle highlighted the beauty in facing challenges head-on. Although 'Maria' has received a mix of reviews, critics have generally praised Jolie's performance, with many highlighting her emotional depth in the role. The film, which is part of a trilogy about iconic women, aims to rejuvenate interest in opera as an art form. Jolie will join the promotion trail, along with family, as 'Maria' hits UK cinemas on January 10.