Angelina Jolie, renowned for her iconic roles in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and Maleficent, recently captured hearts off-screen at the Venice Film Festival. The actress, known for her humanitarian work and profound sense of empathy, made headlines for a touching moment during the world premiere of her latest film, Maria.
A Tender Moment with a Fan
At the event, Jolie, who stars as the legendary Greek opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s biographical drama, demonstrated her humility and compassion. In a moving display, Jolie went on her knees to engage with a fan suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disorder. Dressed elegantly in a champagne gown, she spoke to the bedridden fan, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. This gesture, captured in videos and photos circulating online, won widespread admiration from fans, who praised Jolie’s genuine kindness.
On the red carpet for Maria tonight, Angelina Jolie took a moment to kneel down and meet a fan with ALS. 🖤 A true class act at #Venezia81. 🌟 #LisLove pic.twitter.com/AuLMed8O6C
— Lis Lopes (@lislopees1) August 29, 2024
Angelina Jolie kneeling down at red carpet of Venice Film Festival to meet a fan with ALS.
— EXECUTIVE MEDIA (@EXECUTIVEXMEDIA) August 29, 2024
Jolie’s appearance at the premiere was met with enthusiasm and acclaim. Her stunning floor-length evening gown and warm interaction with the media set the tone for the night. The film, Maria, which also stars Valeria Golino and Haluk Bilginer, received a standing ovation from the audience. Overcome with emotion, Jolie was seen wiping away tears as she absorbed the crowd’s rapturous response.
Angelina Jolie weeps through an 8-minute #Venezia81 standing ovation for ‘Maria,’ which will be a major Oscars contender. pic.twitter.com/PMiu4RWJ09
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) August 29, 2024
Reflecting on her role, Jolie shared her deep commitment to portraying Maria Callas. “I take very seriously the responsibility for Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria’s story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream,” she told The Daily Mail.
Maria is set to be released on Netflix later this year, promising to showcase Jolie’s dedication and the legacy of the iconic opera singer.
