FilmNation has inked a series of international deals on Pablo Larraín’s latest biopic Maria following a buzzy debut at Venice last night.
The film was picked up by Studiocanal (UK, Germany, Poland), ARP (France), 01 Distribution (Italy), Sun Distribution (LATAM/Spain/Portugal/South Africa), and The Searchers (Benelux).
Additional deals include Switzerland (Pathe), Czech Republic (AQS), Greece (Faliro House), Israel (Lev), Middle East (Italia), Bulgaria/ Ex-Yugo (MCF), Ukraine (Green Light), Baltics (Acme), and Turkey (Bir).
Directed by Larraín from a screenplay by Steven Knight (Spencer, Peaky Blinders), Maria follows the life story of the world’s greatest opera singer, Maria Callas, played by Angelina Jolie, during her final days in 1970s Paris.
Producers on the flick Juan de Dios Larraín, Jonas Dornbach, and Lorenzo Mieli. Fremantle Group financed the film. Production companies are The Apartment, Fabula, Komplizen, and Fremantle. Netflix will release in the US.
The film cooked up a healthy 10-minute ovation following its debut last night in Venice. Larraín and Jolie attended the premiere alongside cast members Pierfrancesco Favino and Alba Rohrwacher. After the screening, the Sala Grande crowd was emotional and even chanted Jolie’s name. The two-time Oscar nominee shed a tear as she walked down from the gallery to wave at the audience.
The team had all attended a press conference earlier in the day, during which Larraín said Callas was “the greatest voice in history who had a very beautiful and difficult life.” He added, “Of course, this movie wouldn’t exist without Angelina.”
Maria marks the third film in Larraín’s work exploring iconic female protagonists following Jackie (2016) and Spencer (2021).
The Venice Film Festival runs until September 7.