As the 81st Venice Film Festival unfolds, Angelina Jolie has once again shown us how her style commands attention both on and off screen. The Oscar-winning actress made a grand entrance on Wednesday, August 28th, ahead of the world premiere of "Maria," Pablo Larraín's highly anticipated biopic about opera legend Maria Callas.
In addition to her red carpet appearance, Jolie was spotted in a dreamy golden kaftan from the Fall 2024 Tom Ford collection. Jolie etched the historic Venetian docks into her own personal iconography. The golden acid jersey kaftan dress flowed around her statuesque form like liquid sunlight in a mesmerizing scene that recalled cinematic glamour without the flashing lights.
It's a fitting choice for an actress about to unveil her portrayal of one of the greatest opera singers of all time. The kaftan's dramatic drape and rich hue echo the grandeur of opera while maintaining a modern edge – a perfect metaphor for Jolie's interpretation of Callas, which is said to have had a ten-minute standing ovation. In "Maria," Jolie delves deep into Callas's final days, exploring the vulnerability and isolation behind the diva's public persona.
“When I put her big glasses on and her Greek hair and I sat in my little robe as an older lady, I felt a (Maria) that felt like the private (Maria) that the world didn’t know,” Jolie told AP. “And I connected to her first, and kind of loved her.”
The Performance Before the Performance
As Venice reflects on the stunning premiere of "Maria," Angelina Jolie's golden moment on the docks reminds us that in the world of cinema and high fashion, every appearance is a performance. Her Tom Ford ensemble brilliantly bridged the glamour of the Venice Film Festival and paid homage to the legendary diva she brings back to life on screen.