During a recent chat with the Telegraph, Angelina Jolie shared insights about her post-Brad Pitt life. Despite her usual bold demeanor, the actress revealed that promoting her latest film has been quite tough for her. Admitting to feeling a tad timid and less tough than her usual self, she confessed that this round of press interviews has been a challenge for her after a long absence.
Jolie took on several roles in her latest movie, First They Killed My Father, which she co-wrote, produced, and directed. The film is set in Cambodia and follows the story of the Khmer Rouge genocide as detailed in Loung Ung’s memoir from 2000. Amidst working on this project, Jolie was also going through the difficult process of divorcing Brad Pitt. She openly admits that being on her own has been hard and not something she had hoped for. Despite appearing strong, she has faced emotional challenges this year and has had some health concerns that require attention.
While working on her most recent project, Jolie was consistently backed by her children who remained close by. In particular, Maddox, whom Jolie adopted from Cambodia when he was just three months old, had a significant impact on the making of the film. Wanting to instill in him a sense of Cambodia’s culture and history, Jolie viewed the movie as a way for them to learn together. Maddox’s participation in the research and editing processes made a notable difference. His fresh perspective allowed him to provide helpful feedback, such as identifying when scenes felt overly complex or boring. Overall, his involvement proved to be a valuable asset to the production.
She shares her awe for the kids, calling them fantastic. Seeing their kindness and support for each other and for her has been incredibly moving. Following the positive reception of her film, “First They Killed My Father,” Jolie is looking forward to a well-deserved break and enjoying precious moments with her loved ones in their new Los Angeles residence. The stunning property, formerly belonging to Hollywood icon Cecil B. de Mille, was acquired by Jolie for an impressive $24.5 million.
She contemplates, “I think it’s about time I reconnect with who I used to be. I’ve been through so much in life – from heartbreak to health issues, and raising my kids. It’s been a period of learning and personal growth, but now that my children are getting older, I’m starting to feel like I’ve neglected my own sense of fun for a while. Perhaps as they enter their teenage years, I’ll rediscover the carefree side of myself.” With a laugh, she remarks, “I suppose it’s time to revisit my past and embrace the joy I once knew.”
The highly anticipated film, First They Killed My Father, will be available for streaming on Netflix starting September 15th.
