The dark cloud of divorce made way for azure blue skies on Thursday as Angelina Jolie attended the 81st annual Venice Film Festival premiere of Maria.

The actress, 49, currently in the throes of a protracted divorce from Brad Pitt, made a welcome red carpet appearance ahead of the film’s first official screening, in competition, at the annual ceremony.

Jolie looked stunning in an elegant floor-length evening gown with off-the-shoulder detailing as she greeted photographers on day two of this year’s festival.

The stunning stone chiffon gown, designed exclusively for the actress by designer and couture house Tamara Ralph, featured draped detailing and a short train, with the number finished off with an elegant, fluffy faux-fur stole and a gold floral pin.

The star, who plays famed opera singer Maria Callas in the film, left her sleek golden locks to fall over her shoulders, while highlighted her features with a classic smoky eye and a statement red lip.

The dark cloud of divorce made way for azure blue skies on Thursday as Angelina Jolie attended the 81st annual Venice Film Festival premiere of Maria

The actress, 49, currently in the throes of a protracted divorce from Brad Pitt , made a welcome red carpet appearance ahead of the film’s first official screening, in competition, at the annual ceremony

Angelina split from her film star husband after a disputed incident on a plane in 2016  (pictured in 2007)

At one point, the film star was seen tenderly attending to a sick hospital patient, who appears to have been brought to the premiere just to see Angelina.

The actress crouched down next to the man and was seen sweetly talking to him, as well as interacting with others who accompanied him.

Angelina managed to plaster on a smile for the glitzy event despite recently hinting at the heavy emotional toll which her divorce from Brad Pitt has taken on her, saying she has been through ‘despair’ and ‘pain.’

The beauty  split from her film star husband after a disputed incident on a plane in 2016.

She has said in court documents that he assaulted her and some of their six children and poured wine and beer on the family in a rage. He has always denied being violent towards her or the family.

Angelina’s words came during a photocall to promote the film Maria at the film festival, in which she plays the opera singer Maria Callas.

When asked about her musical tastes she said: ‘I was more of a punk and I loved all music but I probably listened to The Clash more than most.

‘As I have gotten older I have listened to classical music and opera. I think I still love the music I did when I was younger, I would still listen to The Clash.

Angelina looked simply sensational as she attending the premiere amid her marital woes

The stunning stone chiffon gown, designed exclusively for the actress by designer and couture house Tamara Ralph, featured draped detailing and a short train, with the number finished off with an elegant, fluffy stole and a gold floral pin

The star, who plays famed opera singer Maria Callas in the film, left her sleek golden locks to fall over her shoulders, while highlighted her features with a classic smoky eye and a statement red lip

All eyes were on the Hollywood star as she graced the red carpet

Angelina managed to plaster on a smile for the glitzy event despite recently hinting at the heavy emotional toll which her divorce from Brad Pitt has taken on her, saying she has been through ‘despair’ and ‘pain’

‘But I think when you have felt a certain level of despair, of pain, of love at a certain point there are only certain sounds that can match that feeling and to me the immensity of the feeling encapsulated in the sounds of opera – there is nothing like it.

‘That feeling that would move all of us if we were to hear it would be the only sound that would explain that pain, so I have leant more towards it now.’

She reflected on the premiere of the film on Thursday along with the release of Without Blood which she has co-produced, next week at the Toronto International Film Festival, which means that she is picking up the threads of her movie career which has been largely on pause since splitting from Pitt.

Jolie said: ‘To be honest I have needed to be home more with my family these last years.’

‘In that time I have become maybe more grateful to have the opportunity to be an artist and to play and to be among all of you, and to just be in this creative world that we are all fortunate to be a part of.

‘I am happy to be here and I am grateful to be an artist in any way.’

At one point, the film star was seen tenderly attending to a sick hospital patient, who appears to have been brought to the premiere just to see Angelina

The actress crouched down next to the man and was seen sweetly talking to him, as well as interacting with others who accompanied him

The star shook hands with one well-dressed gentleman as she knelt down to see the man on the hospital bed

Despite her big premiere, the caring star took the time to interact with the fan

Angelina was poised and elegant as she took to the red carpet

The Maleficent star showcased her array of tattoos on her arms

She happily smiled and waved to the crowds who had gathered to get a glimpse of her

Angelina was every inch the leading lady as she posed with the cast and crew of Maria

Meanwhile at the premiere, Taylor Russell commanded attention in a glamorous cream midi dress as she posed on the red carpet.

The Canadian actress, 30, looked incredible in the strapless number which boasted a figure hugging ruched bodice and cascaded down into a long skirt.

Taylor posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet as she wore the train of her eye catching skirt as a neck scarf.

Styling her dark tresses in a neat up do, the ex-girlfriend of singer Harry Styles added inches to her frame in a pair of towering heels.

She accessorised with a dazzling chunky bracelet and opted for a pair of coordinated stud earrings.

It comes after Taylor sparked rumours whether she is seeing ex Harry again as she was spotted walking around the singer’s beloved Hampstead last week.

She was reported to have split from the Watermelon Sugar singer, also 30, in May after a year together, although this was never confirmed.