Netflix has been pulling out all the stops this weekend for its two two New York Film Festival offerings, “Maria,” and “Emilia Perez.”
Their ace in the hand? Angelina Jolie, gorgeous, smart, tabloid draw, and former Oscar winner. You can’t do better than that.
Jolie plays opera legend in Maria Callas in Maria, the latest diva-centric project from director Pablo Larrain. Last night, Netflix took over Cipriani 42nd St. and filled it with thousands of roses.
“You won’t have to count them,” said our Netflix host as Jolie, wearing a white chiffon gown worthy of a Greek goddess, arrived to greet fans, speaking to each one and posing for photos, statuesque on platform heels for hours.
Jolie, normally shy with press, is talking to everybody. She’s running for Best Actress and counting on the kindness of strangers to restrain themselves from asking about her vicious, never ending divorce from Brad Pitt. But once you’re in her aura, there’s no chance of it. Otherwise, like Malefecent, she’d banish you — and you don’t want that!
Some congratulated her for her work on human rights—in fact, she’s just back from Sudan. Others for her children’s book on the subject. Still others for being an action hero, and for her work as a director. Her latest project is “Without Blood, starring Salma Hayek. It’s hard for her not to have an opinion while filming. Celebrated cinematographer Ed Lachman told us she was ‘difficult,’ often re-directing Larrain’s direction. But “It was all to the good,” he said. Lachman makes sure you never get tired of looking at her.
And so the season begins.
