Angelina Jolie stars as opera legend Maria Callas in upcoming film, Maria. Photo by Pax Jolie-Pitt.
A new biopic on legendary opera singer Maria Callas entitled Maria, stars Academy-award winner Angelina Jolie in the title role. The film recently debuted at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. It is directed by renowned Chilean director Pablo Larrain and also marks the return of Jolie to the big screen. The film will be released in theaters Nov. 27, as well as on Netflix Dec. 11.
Written by Steven Knight (Spencer, Peaky Blinders), and produced by Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula Pictures, and Jonas Dornbach for Komlizen Film, the film recounts the fascinating story of the greatest opera singer in the world, revisited and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris.
Photo by Pax Jolie-Pitt.
Jolie went to great lengths to train and prepare for an accurate depiction of Callas. One of Callas’ rituals before she took to the stage, included drinking a small glass of Fernet-Branca, enriched with mint leaves. The mix would warm up her powerful voice and prepare her to enchant the audience. Legend also has it that this very habit led to the birth of another historic Branca product, Brancamenta.
The film brings together two icons. The inimitable Italian bitter, whose historical recipe has remained unchanged since 1845, and Maria Callas, a diva of American-Greek heritage, a woman rich in personality and charm.
Brancamenta, born after Fernet-Branca, is renowned worldwide for its refreshingly surprising formula enriched with the essential oil of Piedmont peppermint.
“We are proud to be part of this extraordinary cinematic project,” says Niccolò Branca, CEO and President of Fratelli Branca Distillerie. “And to see our iconic bitter in such a unique story that celebrates the Divine in such a prestigious and high-profile context.”