Maria: The Unknown Callas

Maria: The Unknown Callas is about the transformation of young Maria Callas from an ugly duckling to a world-class diva, during the period of WW2 in Athens, Greece. As the series unfolds, we explore Maria’s relationship with the important mentors in her life as a young artist; her ambitious mother, her passionate Spanish teacher, her beautiful pianist sister, her rebellious baritone Greek lover, her devoted German maestro, and her beloved father. They all shaped her life and gradually led her to become the most acclaimed Diva of all times. The audience will learn the unknown story of Maria that has never been shown on screen and will watch her transformation from a young ugly duckling desperately seeking to be loved, to the worldwide phenomenon that conquered eternity with her divine voice. A fictional biopic based on true events, and a contemporary story of international appeal with a strong female character who became a popular idol and the first woman to brand herself. This woman was Greek!

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Direction: Olga Malea

Script: Olga Malea (Head Writer), Apostolos Aleksopoulos, Vagelis Nasis, Peny Fylaktaki, Manina Zouboulaki

Cinematography: Panagiotis Vasilakis

Editing: Ioanna Pogiantzi

Sound: Nikos Papadopoulos

Music: Stamatis Stamatakis

Actors: Eleni Rantou, Renia Louizidou, Kleopatra Eleftheriadou, Demy, Karmen Rougeri, Ioannis Papazisis, Maximos Moymouris, Charis Mavroudis, Nikos Orfanos, Aleksandros Varthis, Charis Grigoropoulos, Yorgios Depastas, Antriana Mpampali, Evi Mazi, Michael Edwards, Dirk Walter Sikorski, Michael Siebel, Christopher Scott, Konstantinos Antalopoulos

Production: ERT SA

Producers: Irini Souganidou, Froso Ralli

Costumes: Maria Magira

Sets: Chrysa Daponte

Make Up: Sotiria Malatesta, Giorgina Sideri

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Greece

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 90'

Contact: Feelgood Entertainment, (Irini Souganidou, isouganidou@feelgoodentertainment.gr)

Episodes 1-2 will be screened.

Executive production: Feelgood Productions

Olga Malea

One of the most well-known Greek directors with continuous success in both box-office and TV ratings. After a PhD in Psychology at Yale, she has written and directed six features such as The Cow’s Orgasm, Risotto, Little Greek Godfather, and several TV series, the last being Maria: The Unknown Callas to be released in December 2024 on ERT (the Hellenic Broadcast Corporation).

Filmography

1996 The Cow’s Orgasm
1998 The Mating Game
2001 Risotto
2005 Honey & Τhe Pig
2007 Little Greek Godfather
2008 Litsa.com (TV)
2013 Marjoram
2020-2022 Remember When (TV)
2024 Maria: The Unknown Callas (TV)