Monica Bellucci is set to return to Athens, on December 5, for the screening of the international production Maria Callas – Monica Bellucci: An Encounter. Invited by the cultural organization “Lykofos” and producer Giorgos Lykiardopoulos, the iconic actress will meet once again with an audience that has embraced her work on Maria Callas with rare warmth.

The hybrid documentary, directed by Yannis Dimolitsas and Tom Volf, emerged from the global tour of the theatrical monologue Maria Callas – Letters and Memoirs (2019–2023). The film places two eras side by side: the present-day journey of Bellucci as she interprets Callas’s personal writings, and the period when the Greek soprano stood at the height of her artistic powers.

At its heart is a moving conversation across time. Through Bellucci’s narration, Callas’s own words—letters, drafts of unfinished autobiographies, and private reflections—are revived with a clarity that feels both contemporary and timeless. The dialogue highlights two women from different worlds, united by the transformative force of art and by the emotional truths they share on stage and screen.

French writer and director Tom Volf, widely regarded as the foremost contemporary expert on Callas, dedicated years to gathering previously unpublished letters spanning nearly every chapter of her life. His meticulous research led to the creation of the theatrical monologue that marked a milestone in Bellucci’s career: her stage debut. In 2019 she accepted the invitation to embody Callas’s voice—a decision that resonated deeply with audiences throughout a world tour that lasted over three years.

Another key inspiration for the documentary also came from the 2021 performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, directed by Dimolitsas as part of Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs by “Lykofos”. Those three sold-out evenings—Bellucci’s first appearance on a Greek stage—became unforgettable cultural events for the city.

Since then, the film has traveled to major festivals across Europe and the United States, including the Rome Film Festival, MoMA in New York, the San Sebastián International Film Festival, the Lyon Lumière Festival, and the Marrakech International Film Festival. It is an international co-production involving France, Italy, and Greece. Greek audiences first saw it at the 46th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in 2023, when Bellucci last visited publicly the country for its premiere.

Now, the cinematic version returns to Athens for its first official screening in the city. It will be presented on Friday, December 5, at 20:00 at the historic Pallas Theatre—only a few dates following Maria Callas’s birthday. Monica Bellucci will be present at the event, which will include an open discussion with the audience moderated by Orestis Andreadakis.

For tickets and more info please go here.