A special screening of Maria, one of this year’s most talked-about productions, directed by renowned Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín will be screened at this year’s edition of the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Festival, which will take place in Toruń, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, from November 16-23.
The visual aspect of the film is crafted by one of the most distinguished cinematographers in world of cinema, Ed Lachman ASC, who will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award during EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2024.
The film tells the tumultuous story of the life of Maria Callas, known as the “diva of the century,” the most famous and beloved opera singer in the world, portrayed by Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie. It touches on the most significant moments in the diva’s life, focusing on her great loves: for men, for her career, and for singing. Receiving a standing ovation at its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, Maria Callas was directed by Pablo Larraín, a specialist in biographical films about women, who has been awarded in Cannes and Berlin. Larraín is also the director of Jackie, about Jacqueline Kennedy, and Spencer, which tells the story of Princess Diana.
The story of Maria Callas is set in 1970s Paris, where the artist spent her final days. Maria Callas imagines and relives her tumultuous, beautiful, and tragic life story. These are the memories of the world’s greatest opera singer, filled with passionate love affairs, daring performances, appearances in the most exclusive salons, and encounters with the most prominent figures of her time. The film includes her love story with Aristotle Onassis—one of the wealthiest men of that era—and her meeting with John F. Kennedy. It is the story of a woman who was incredibly confident yet unimaginably sensitive.
Ed Lachman, responsible for the film’s cinematography, is known for his mastery of subtle, painterly compositions and experimental lighting techniques. For Maria, he brought an extraordinary visual language that perfectly conveys the emotions and inner struggles of the main character. Lachman’s extensive body of work includes collaborations with directors such as Todd Haynes and Sofia Coppola.
Director Pablo Larraín, known for films like Jackie and Spencer, has crafted Maria into not only a biography of a great artist but also a moving portrait of a woman grappling with loneliness and the drama of her own life. Larraín is celebrated for creating intense psychological portraits of women in his films, something we can expect to experience once again in his latest production.
The screening of Maria will be an opportunity to witness a beautiful story wrapped in stunning cinematography — a must-see for any lover of cinema or the art of cinematography. The screening of Maria promises to be a perfect chance to immerse oneself in a world filled with visual emotion, poetic imagery, and a multi-dimensional portrait of one of the most famous figures in the history of opera.
