As a gamer with a soft spot for heartwarming stories and a deep appreciation for the arts, I must say that Angelina Jolie‘s act of kindness at this year’s Venice Film Festival left me utterly charmed. The moment she took time out to greet Pasqualino Esposito, a festival regular who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, was not just a testament to her star power but also to her humility and compassion.
On Thursday evening at Palazzo del Cinema before Pablo Larraín’s movie Maria‘s world premiere during the Venice Film Festival, a touching moment occurred. Angelina Jolie, playing the lead role in the biopic about the renowned opera star Maria Callas and recently acquired by Netflix, took a pause from her red carpet responsibilities to lovingly greet a fan who was confined to bed.
They had a short chat, all the while being observed by hordes of enthusiastic spectators and photographers capturing their interaction during the festival.
Over the last few years, Pasqualino Esposito, an Italian author, has consistently attended the Venice Film Festival and has earned a spot on the red carpet to meet A-list Hollywood celebrities. Despite dealing with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition commonly referred to as “brittle bone disease.”
Osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder diagnosed at birth, presents with varying degrees of severity across different types. According to John Hopkins, this condition often leads to bones that are fragile and fracture easily, incomplete bone formation, as well as other significant abnormalities such as muscle weakness, deformed chest and spine, easy bruising of the skin, and potential hearing loss.
After an extraordinary meeting, Esposito and his father were approached by The Hollywood Reporter. When asked about his experience with Jolie, Esposito, through a translator, expressed, “She’s a woman with a truly immense heart.” He continued, “She’s simply amazing.”
At Sala Grande, prior to the debut of Maria, Angelina Jolie paused to meet a fan, the bed-bound Italian author Pasqualino Esposito. He endures osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition commonly known as “brittle bone disease.” Over time, Esposito has become a festival favorite due to his resilience and inspiring spirit.
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) August 29, 2024
The Oscar-winning actress is well-known and beloved for her long-standing humanitarian and human rights efforts across a range of causes, including conservation, education, and women’s rights. She has served as a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Following a meeting with Esposito and engaging with fans for quite some time outside the barriers, Jolie made her way into the Grand Hall for the formal unveiling of the biopic titled “Maria“. Inspired by real events and penned by Steven Knight, this movie narrates the turbulent and sorrowful tale of a renowned opera singer’s later life in 1970s Paris. As the credits rolled at the end, the spectators broke into an extended eight-minute standing ovation that eventually stirred tears from Jolie.
During a festival press conference, when asked about which aspects of Callas she most identified with, Jolie replied that it was “the part of her that was incredibly tender and couldn’t fully express the softness and emotional openness she truly possessed in the world. I resonate more with her vulnerability than any other aspect.”
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2024-08-30 11:54