Recently released in cinemas, Maria is a beguiling film that recounts the highs and lows of opera icon Maria Callas’ life, cut short at the age of 53.

Starring Angelina Jolie as the title character and directed by Pablo Larraín, the film utilized several locations across Europe. Filming partly took place in Budapest, Hungary, which is hardly surprising. It’s become one of the most popular filming destinations in Europe for international film productions.

The Story Behind Maria

Maria Callas, famously known as “La Divina” (the divine one), is revered as one of the great opera singers of all time. The film reimagines the final days of the American-born Greek soprano’s life as she reflects on the peaks and troughs of her career, turbulent love life and complicated identity. Callas had been living at the time for several years in relative isolation in Paris, but Larraín describes Maria as a story of determination: “This is a movie about someone who becomes part of the tragedies she performed on stage, but who was never a victim. It’s about someone in control of her destiny.” 

Angelina Jolie immersed herself fully in the role of Callas through extensive preparation. This not only included undergoing seven months of singing lessons (her voice was mixed with that of Callas in post-production) but also learning how to give dog commands in Hungarian so she could work with the film’s canine co-stars.

Jolie successfully captures Callas’ strength, her drama and her vulnerability. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation at its premier at the Venice Film Festival this year and there’s already buzz regarding a possible Oscar nomination for Jolie.

"There's a lot that's deeply felt and very heavy about the film, but there's also a great amount of charm," Jolie revealed in an interview. "It was very important to capture her relationships, her home life, her eccentricities – and her poodles."

Budapest as a Filming Location

Although the story unfolds in Paris, Budapest stood in for some of the film’s key locations. The Hungarian Opera House and the Budapest Academy of Music were both used for critical scenes (where Callas is depicted performing or rehearsing), as was the Fine Arts Museum and the old TV headquarters at Szabadság Square. The interior of Callas’ Paris apartment was also meticulously designed and recreated (by Academy Award nominated production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas) on a sound stage at Origo Film Studios in Budapest.

Crafting Callas’ Costumes

Maria Callas was as much a style diva as she was an opera diva on stage–and by diva, we mean total icon. Academy Award Nominated Costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini created over 60 outfits for Jolie, from stage gowns to elegant everyday wear. Being an avid collector of rare vintage pieces, Parrini also just so happened to have an original Callas dress and evening coat on hand in his collection that was used for one of the scenes.

Maria is in cinemas in Hungary now. Following a theatrical release throughout the UK and other European territories in early 2025, it will stream on Netflix.

Sources & further information

Netflix

 USA Today

Filming Locations

Flatpack Films has years of experience servicing international brands, agencies, and production companies. Filming in Hungary is easy when relying on their knowledge of the market and ability to solve complex needs. They bring the best that Hungary has to offer in terms of unique locations, exceptionally skilled crews, top-of-the-line equipment and technical solutions. Backed by an impeccable track record, Flatpack Films has worked with world-class clients including Samsung, Samsonite, Toyota, Braun, Chivas Regal and many more.

Get in touch and learn more about Budapest film locations, Hungarian film incentives, film tax credits in Hungary and how Flatpack Films can bring your project to life through a highly bespoke approach.