A movie about determination and courage to pursue one's dreams, even when they seem the furthest away possible. A French dramedy that, inspired by the true story of British Florence Foster Jenkins, builds a new and fascinating narrative. Awarded at the Venice Film Festival and winner of four César Awards.
Maria is another biographical film in Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín's trilogy of inspiring muses, alongside Spencer, about Princess Diana, and Jackie, about former U.S. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. In this chapter, the least inspired of the three, Larraín delves into a moment when Callas is away from the stage, uncertain if her voice is ready for an opera performance. Jolie fails to capture the emotional and physical fragility of the singer's moment, swinging between an overly forced performance and one that fades against her complicated story. Still, it's a well-directed drama by Larraín that takes the audience on a journey with its cinematography, settings, and impressive production design.
Monsieur Aznavour is a powerful biopic about the legendary French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor Charles Aznavour. The film follows his journey from humble beginnings as the son of Armenian immigrants to his worldwide rise as one of the greatest icons of French music. The story highlights his fight against prejudice, his collaboration with Édith Piaf, and his unwavering dedication to music. Tahar Rahim delivers a masterful performance as Aznavour, offering an intimate and authentic portrait of a cultural legend. Nominated for the 2025 César Award.