Angelina Jolie Weeps Through Rapturous 8-Minute Venice Standing Ovation for ‘Maria,’ Launching Oscar Buzz
variety.comVenice Film Festival loves its movie stars, and Angelina Jolie was the toast of Italy on Thursday night. The actress wept during an eight-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande Theatre during the premiere of “Maria,” Pablo Larraín’s biographical drama about the Greek opera singer Maria Callas.
The outpouring of love and emotion brings to mind another standing ovation in Venice that launched the Oscar campaign for Brendan Fraser in “The Whale,” as he wept through the applause that cemented a career comeback in 2022.
Jolie was similarly taken by the rapturous response, wiping away tears and at time turning her face away from the cheering as she was overcome by emotion.
She hugged Larraín and the cast of the film, which is sure to be an Oscar contender, putting Jolie in the best actress race for her first nomination since 2009. (She won an Oscar for best supporting actress for 1999’s “Girl Interrupted.”) Indeed, the fandom for Jolie started a full 24 hours before the screening of Marie, as Italians camped out overnight on Wednesday with tents and umbrellas, enduring 90 degree temperatures to spot the star on the carpet.
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