Venice Film Festival 2024: Angelina Jolie gets emotional as she receives 8-minute standing ovation at the premiere of Maria

The Venice Film Festival 2024 has kicked off on a beautiful note. Angelina Jolie stole the show at the world premiere of Pablo Larraín's biographical drama, Maria, an exploration of the life of the legendary Greek opera singer, Maria Callas. As the lights dimmed and the film began, a palpable anticipation filled the Sala Grande Theatre. When the credits rolled, the audience erupted in a standing ovation that lasted an astonishing eight minutes.

Venice Film Festival 2024: Angelina Jolie gets emotional as she receives 8-minute standing ovation at the premiere of Maria

As reported by Variety, tears streamed down Jolie's face as she embraced the director and cast, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and admiration. Jolie's performance in Maria is poised to catapult her back into the Oscar race.

ANGELINA CRYING FOR THE 10 MINUTES STANDING OVATION pic.twitter.com/Oc4DxY3zrK

— gab ♡ (@imnikkiheat) August 29, 2024

Jolie, dressed in a stunning custom gown by Tamara Ralph, exuded elegance and grace as she walked the red carpet. Playing the renowned soprano provided her with a profound emotional experience, a form of "therapy" she didn't realize she needed. "I had no idea how much I was holding in and not letting out," she confessed at a press conference, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The film, which tells the tumultuous and tragic story of Callas's final days in Paris, is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the human spirit.

Netflix has acquired the streaming rights to Maria. A release date is yet to be announced.