Duelling Divinas
“A-list stars Anne Hathaway and Penélope Cruz are rumoured to be in talks about taking the lead role in a joint British and Italian venture that will focus on the singer’s tempestuous relationship with the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.” [The Guardian]
Frequently comic actors can really deliver the dramatic goods. You know what they say… “Norma” is easy, it’s comedy that’s hard.
What a bad idea ——
The only Greek actress that would have done justice to Callas would be Irene Papas, a class A tragedienne. Namesake, but not related.
27 Denmark and, to a surprising extent and until late in the war, Hungary (at least, Budapest) also resisted rounding up Jews. The Lithuanains and Ukranians competed for the title of most enthusiastic rounders-up.
From Dr. Papas’ statement one would think that the Archbishop’s generous, admirable actions saved the entire Salonika Jewish community when in fact 45, 000, or about 96 % of them perished in the camps.
http://www.sephardicstudies.org/thes2.html
Someone once told me that the Dutch were surprisingly efficient at rounding up the Jews too, though they have traded successfully on the Anne Frank story.
Love the idea of Bancroft, but I think another actress would have done her justice: Angelica Huston. She’s long said how much she wanted to play Callas, but was never given the chance. Huston’s a huge opera lover. On James Lipton’s show, she admitted that her fantasy life would to be an opera singer.
This is a nice game. In a totally unfashionable, bunuel-inspired fashion, I’d have split the mature callas for three different actresses – the eager beginner, using a somewhat rotund actress, the post diet 1953 onwards megastar – you take your pick – and the mature, bitter, reminiscing grand dame. For the third period I think only Hiam Abbas, a really great Palestinian-Parisian actress will do. She has the personality, the voice and the Anouk Aimee looks.
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2259651072/nm0007814
Bancroft is dead, Moreau belongs to Callas’ age group and is much too old.
For the second personality, I think the Spanish actress Mabriel Verdu will be great. She did some fabulous roles in El labirinto del Fauno and Y tu mama tambien. She has a great, active personality and is extremely impressive onscreen. Just hold your Hollywood leading ladys.
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1856674048/nm0893941
sorry, her name is Maribel Verdu
Mmes.Cerquetti/Farrell – it was you (plural) that posted the Gladys Kuchta/Regina Resnick slapdown on another thread? I may be wrong. Just have seen it and it was really very, VERY good, thanks for posting, so much! If tomorrow night’s Elektra is half as good I would be pleased. Boy, Gladys Kuchta is someone who never really got respect, did she? Yet, she was an excellent Elektra. Food for thought. Thanks a lot.
There are some youtube clips of her Gott act 2 Brunnhilde (from Berlin with Jean Cox) that will encourage even more respect.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-gladys-kuchta-1183767.html
Thanks. I love that clip too. I wonder will some enterprising company concede to release this commercially sometime? Since it was made in 1971 I guess it’s also in stereo. I’d like to see the whole thing. as more and more I feel the people concerned did a far better job than on the Friedrich film, Rysanek possibly excepted.
Pardon my English, it’s getting past my bedtime over here
Krunoslav,
There is no question that the destruction of the Jewish community in Salonica- the most thriving in Greece- was a tragedy that Achbishop of Athens, Damaskinos, could not stop. On the other hand, he did the best he could in other regions even under the threat of being executed by the German general, the commander of the city of Athens. Archbishop Damaskinos made the Oct. 1, 1945 cover of Time magazine, and according to Wallenberg Foundation, he was the only European leader, religious or otherwise who stood up to the Nazis to save Jews, risking his own life.
I live Maribel Verdu. I’ve seen her in a a number of films. I have another idea (and nationality to suggest). The wonderful Iranian actress seen here on 24 and FlashForward, Shohreh Aghdashloo. The idea of splitting Callas between multiple actresses seems awfully “I’m Not There”, the biopic of Dylan in which he’s played by multiple actors/actresses. And also the forthcoming “The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassum”, which Heath Ledger was filming at the time of his death. His character is now shared by Him, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell.
I thought of Shohreh Aghdashloo as well (some will remember her from House of Sand and Fog) but she has the same problem as Cruz — she can’t discard her heavy Persian accent.
Now, Angelica Houston — there’s an idea!!
As for the reason for this film. It may be true that Callas’s life has been hashed out in the media but a high-profile film could bring Callas to whole new generation. That’s reason enough, IMO. Besides, while there have been good documentaries about Callas, there haven’t been any good feature films. So bring it on, I say.
In defense of comic actors/actresses who are fine dramatic actors – Jim Carrey (who starred in a terrific TV movie early in his career, “DOing Time On Maple Drive”), John Ritter, Bill Murray, Carol Burnett (Friendly Fire), Claudette COlbert, Jean Arthur, Rosalind Russell, Jean Smart, etcetcetc. Most comedic actors will tell you that drama is easy, it’s comedy that’s hard.