Angelina Jolie Reveals Sons Witnessed Her Vulnerability While Filming ‘Maria’

Angelina Jolie, known for her privacy, recently shared details with BBC News regarding her time working on a film set alongside her two eldest sons. She revealed that during this period, they observed “the pain” she typically conceals from them. The actress is featured in an upcoming biographical film, ‘Maria’, which chronicles the life of opera singer Maria Callas. Maddox and Pax, two of Jolie’s six children from her previous marriage to Brad Pitt, served as production assistants during the movie’s production. She stated, “The character [Callas] has a lot of pain and they’ve of course seen me go through a lot of things, but they hadn’t experienced me expressing a lot of the pain that usually a parent hides from a child.” Jolie added, “So they were there to witness some of that, but then we would hug or they would bring me cups of tea.” Jolie further commented that this experience offered “a new way” to be more open with her children about her emotions, “in an even greater way.” The movie, penned by Steven Knight, the creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’, centers on Callas’s concluding years during the 1970s, a period when she resided in Paris. Given Jolie’s less frequent acting appearances in recent times, this film has been perceived as a potential career resurgence for her and might result in an Oscar nomination for best actress. Callas, a Greek soprano born in the US, was recognized as one of the most celebrated opera singers. For the singing sequences in ‘Maria’, a combination of Jolie’s voice and authentic recordings by Callas is utilized. The actress undertook opera singing training for the part, which she characterized as “very physically demanding.” She mentioned that this training spanned approximately seven months. She explained, “We started with regular singing classes and it was challenging in many ways, but when the opera classes began, what it requires with your breathwork and your body and just the force of what you push through yourself, it’s just a very different physicality.” Jolie, known for her roles in films such as ‘Changeling’, ‘Maleficent’, ‘Salt’, and ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’, stated that she had no prior singing experience and was “actually quite shy about singing.” She remarked, “It was probably one of the areas in my life that I was hesitant.” Nevertheless, she conveyed that she also found enjoyment in the process. She commented, “One of the greatest privileges of being an actor is you often are supported by a crew to try something and explore something you’ve never done and this certainly was most challenging.” Maddox, aged 23, and Pax, aged 21, Jolie’s sons, have previously collaborated with her on several productions, including her film ‘Without Blood’. Both sons attended the New York City premiere of ‘Maria’ in September with her, accompanied by their younger sister Zahara. Jolie initiated divorce proceedings against Pitt in September 2016. A subsequent custody dispute concluded with Pitt receiving joint custody in 2021. The two Hollywood figures are also parents to daughters Shiloh and Vivienne, and another son, Knox. Director Pablo Larraín noted that on the film’s set, both Maddox and Pax were “very busy.” He further stated, “They were good professionals.” Jolie mentioned that Pax extensively recorded her singing practice during filming, remarking, “so he was with me in my early horrible days,” and laughed. She expressed, “It’s always good for your children to watch your mum not do something easily, but swear and fight and fail and have to try again.” Jolie concluded, “So that’s an important and beautiful thing.” ‘Maria’ represents the third installment in a series of films by Larraín focusing on prominent, intricate female figures, succeeding his previous works about Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana. While the film has garnered varied reviews, critics have largely commended its lead performance. Sophia Ciminello of AwardsWatch commented, “Jolie is absolutely spellbinding as Maria Callas, imbuing her with grace and resolve.” She added, “She doesn’t disappear into the role, she transcends.” Conversely, Stephanie Zacharek of Time expressed less enthusiasm for Jolie’s portrayal, stating that Jolie “plays her subject as haughtily cool and deeply insecure, but captures none of her imperious charisma.” Maria Callas, known as La Divina, or “The Divine One,” commenced her singing career at the age of 14. A notable performance of hers was as Tosca at Covent Garden in 1964. However, a decline in her vocal abilities, potentially linked to significant weight loss, resulted in the early conclusion of her career. She passed away at 53 from a heart attack, having spent her final years mostly in seclusion. Larraín conveyed his aspiration that his film would pay tribute to Callas’s ambition to make opera more accessible. He remarked, “If this movie bring attention to opera from one to hundred to a million, it will be a success.” Jolie further stated, “I don’t know if there is an art form as strong as opera.” She elaborated, “The way it connects to the soul and the body, so of course it’s for everybody.” ‘Maria’ is scheduled for release in UK cinemas on 10 January. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.