Writer and Director Barry Jenkins moderated a post-screening AFI Fest. Jolie, director Pablo LarraĆn were there.
Barry Jenkins praised Angelina Jolie, "The performance is so striking. It’s almost like, to me, Jesse Eisenberg is Mark Zuckerberg. Denzel Washington is Malcolm X, in a certain way. And I think you are Maria Callas in the same way. In this movie, in so many moments, you are performing with your whole body."
He also joked that he helped Jolie to get the role, "You all have to thank me for this film existing".
Then he explained, "On September 10, 2021, I tweeted, ‘After “Jackie” and “Spencer,” there’s a Warholian quality to this aspect of Pablo’s work that will likely include one more single name portrait of a lady. Not sure which lady that will be, but I’ll be here for it.'"
"That did not happen. I did send the tweet, but Pablo did not see it".