At a talk during the Marrakech Film Festival, Bellucci explained that portraying Maria Callas was more than just a role—it was a profound emotional journey that allowed her to connect with the complex legacy of the opera diva. While Callas is universally known as one of the greatest sopranos of all time, the documentary allows us to see another side of her—a woman of immense courage and vulnerability, qualities Bellucci found deeply inspiring. “What touched me the most about Callas was her raw sincerity,” Bellucci reflects. “She didn’t hide her emotions; she wore them on her sleeve. As an artist, I connected to that truth.”
Bellucci’s film career has spanned diverse roles, Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs marked her first foray into live theater, an experience that proved both challenging and exhilarating. The new documentary captures Bellucci’s transition from the intimacy of film acting to the raw immediacy of performing live on stage. For the first time, she had to rely solely on her physical presence, voice, and emotional depth, without the safety net of close-ups or editing.
The experience of performing on stage was eye-opening for Bellucci, who admits she hadn’t fully appreciated the complexity and artistry involved in bringing a play to life. “Theater is a completely different animal,” she says. “There’s a truth in live performance that you can’t replicate in film. You have no editing to hide behind—every emotion has to be felt and shared with the audience in real-time.”
Yannis Dimolitsas with Tom Volf’s documentary delves into the intricacies of Bellucci’s rehearsal process, showing her grappling with the challenges of performing a multilingual role. Switching between Italian, French, and English was no small feat, especially when trying to capture the emotional essence of Callas while remaining true to the technical demands of each language. “The multilingual aspect was the most demanding,” Bellucci confesses. “But once I let go of the technicalities, I found that the words became just a vehicle for the deeper emotions I wanted to convey.”
In a particularly poignant moment of the documentary, Bellucci wears one of Maria Callas’ iconic dresses—a symbol of the opera singer’s legacy. The dress, which had once been worn by Callas herself, became a powerful conduit for Bellucci’s own emotional connection to the role. “When they told me the dress had belonged to Callas, I was overwhelmed,” she recalls. “Wearing it, I felt like I was stepping into her world. It was almost as if she was there with me, guiding me.”
For Bellucci, costume plays an integral role in transforming into a character, and the dress served as a profound tool to help her channel the energy of Callas. “For an actor, the costume is not just something you wear,” she explains. “It’s a key to unlocking the emotions of the character. The dress gave me strength, a sense of power, and I could feel Callas’ presence in it. It helped me connect with her on a deeper level.” The documentary not only shows Bellucci’s physical transformation but also reveals the deep emotional and psychological work that went into portraying a woman whose legacy was not just about her musical genius, but her ability to bare her soul. “Callas was a woman who dared to be vulnerable in a world that didn’t always accept vulnerability,” Bellucci reflects. “That’s what I wanted to convey—her courage, her strength, and her sensitivity.”
Perhaps the most profound takeaway from this experience was Bellucci’s newfound appreciation for the power of live theater. While she had been accustomed to the world of film, where editing and cinematography shape the performance, theater demanded a different kind of engagement—one that was immediate, visceral, and deeply connected to the audience. “Theater is about that electric energy between you and the audience. It’s unlike anything else,” she says. “The immediacy of it, the rawness of it—it’s a pure exchange of energy. You feel everything in the moment. That’s something you can’t get from film.” The documentary not only chronicles Bellucci’s exploration of Maria Callas but also captures her evolution as an actress—one who now sees herself differently after her experience on stage. The feeling of performing live, of standing in front of an audience and giving all of oneself in a single performance, was something Bellucci had never experienced before. But now, she is keenly aware of how this connection to the audience can amplify the emotions and depth of the performance. “There’s nothing like the truth that comes with live theater,” she says. “It demands a kind of honesty that film sometimes doesn’t require. And I loved that challenge.”
Bellucci’s experience with Maria Callas has sparked a new curiosity within her about live performance. While she is not yet certain if she will return to the stage in a long-term commitment, the documentary has opened her eyes to the limitless possibilities of stagecraft. “I’ve always been curious about different kinds of roles and experiences,” she says. “Theater is a new frontier for me. I don’t know if I’m ready to commit to it full-time, but I would love to explore it further.”
Despite the emotional and physical demands of playing such an iconic character, Bellucci remains open to future challenges. “This role was incredibly transformative for me, but as an actor, you’re always searching for something new. It’s what keeps you alive creatively,” she explains. “Whether it’s on stage or on screen, I’m always excited for what comes next.”
Monica Bellucci’s portrayal of Maria Callas is a testament to the depth of her artistry and the personal growth that can arise from truly immersing oneself in a role. Through the documentary, Bellucci not only brings Callas’ legacy back to life but also uncovers new facets of her own craft, reminding us all that the pursuit of truth in art is an ongoing, ever-evolving journey.