Maria (2024)

Was Maria Callas addicted to methaqualone? Did her hallucinations result from use of, or withdrawal from, the drug? How might you diagnose her? Sedative-, Hypnotic-, or Anxiolytic-Induced Psychotic Disorder? Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder?

Her housemaid Bruna tells opera singer Maria Callas, referring to Dr. Fontainebleau, "You can tell him about the visions you are having... change your medication."
Maria: "I am perfectly happy with my medication and its effects... it is a form of sanity...” 
”... be honest...” (0:09)

Prescription bottle labeled "mandrax" (0:12)

Maria tells butler Ferruccio, "This morning I took only Mandrax...”
”... I want Mandrax to accompany me." 
Ferruccio: “Mandrax is not a reliable companion...” (0:14)

Hallucinated television interviewer: "Madam Callas, my name is Mandrax..." 
Maria: ”... honest answers.” 
Mandrax: ”... victim of that identity.” 
Maria: ”... an intoxication...” 
”... Mandrax is a very unreliable companion...” (0:16)

Maria tells conductor Jeffrey Tate, “... an obedient housemaid..." 
Referring to Aristotle Onassis: ”He comes to my bed every night...” [bereavement hallucination?]
”... Everything swelled, except my ego...” (0:23)

Ferruccio tells Maria, "... the medicines that you are taking..." 
Maria: ”... sharing someone’s medical information is against the law.” 
Dr. Fontainebleau: ”... about sanity and insanity.” (0:29)

Ferruccio tells Bruna, referring to Maria, "... She hasn’t eaten for three days." 
Bruna: “... she didn’t eat for four days...” (0:30)

Maria stashes pills. (0:31)

Maria tells Ferruccio, "The medicine cabinet is unlocked..." 
Ferrucio: ”... get your medication under control.” 
Maria: ”... I’m in the mood for adulation.” (0:32)

Maria tells a fan, "People always said I was faking it. I was never faking it..." (0:34)

Shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis tells Maria, "... it was a smart thing to do..."(0:37)

Maria tells Onassis, ”... self-confidence becomes a kind of insanity.” 
”... I can confidently say...” (0:39)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax (0:39)

Maria tells the cafe owner, "... my behavior is unusual..." 
”... the part of me... that dreams... Why are you kind to me?” 
Cafe owner: ”Because you’re kind to us.” (0:41)

Maria searches in vain for her medication. (0:46)

Maria asks Bruna, "... Ferruccio has taken all my pills?" 
”Where is my medication?” (0:52)

Maria swallows pills. (0:53)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax (0:53)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax: Maria answers Mandrax, "No, I want courage. I wanted courage..." 
Mandrax: ”Why courage?” (0:54)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax (0:56)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax (1:02)

Maria tells her husband Giovanni Battista Meneghini, "I spoke to Winston Churchill." (1:04)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax
Maria: ”... to make another self...” (1:07)

Maria tells Ferruccio, "... because of your obsession..." 
Recording: ”... Ferruccio, because of your obsession with doctors..." (1:10)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax (1:11)

Ferruccio asks Bruna, "Did you give her her pills today?" (1:13)

Onassis tells Maria, referring to President John F. Kennedy, "... Marilyn Monroe..." (1:14)

Onassis asks Maria, "Could you explain to this sweet lady...?" 
Woman: ”My dream is to see you perform...” (1:15)

Marilyn Monroe sings. (1:16)

Bruna tells Maria, referring to Ferruccio and herself, "... we are worried." (1:20)

Maria tells Dr. Fontainebleau, "... Violetta is diagnosed with..." 
Fontainebleau: ”... the Mandrax, the various sedatives and stimulants, you are taking the steroid prednisone?” 
”... the extra stress... the medications...” (1:21)

Her sister Yakinthi Callas tells Maria, "Since I sent you the medication..." 
”... I’m not gonna give you any more medication...” 
Maria: ”I don’t need any more medication...” 
”I’m hallucinating.” 
Yakinthi: ”You’re hallucinating?...” 
”... be kind to yourself...” (1:25)

Maria tells Tate, "I’m going to sing the mad scene..." (1:30)

A journalist tells Maria, "... I heard you perform the mad scene..." (1:34)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax 
Maria, referring to Onassis, ”... When he was dying...” (1:36)

Onassis tells Maria, "... You never lacked confidence..." 
Maria: ”... You hurt my pride, though.” (1:39)

Hallucinated encounter with Mandrax (1:41)

Bruna tells Maria, "... those silly chocolates." (1:46)

Bruna and Ferruccio discover Maria’s lifeless body.
By telephone, Ferruccio tells someone, ”Madam Callas has died.” (1:51)