Truly support
independent journalism
Our mission is to provide unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds the powerful to account and exposes the truth.
Whether it's $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us in offering journalism without agenda.
Angelina Jolie has spoken about how her children supported her during the making of her latest film, Maria.
The film, directed by Oscar nominee Pablo Larraín, chronicles the final days of opera diva Maria Callas, as the legendary star attempts to sing again after years out of the spotlight.
The emotionally demanding nature of the role, which also marks Jolie's first time acting since the 2021 Marvel film. Eternalmeant filming could be exhausting, so the Oscar winner sought support from her children.
“I've never been on a set where my family isn't allowed to be there because I'm focused, I'm not that person,” the 49-year-old said. The Hollywood Reporter. “You can climb on top of me or visit me.
“It really meant a lot to have my children with me in Maria“When I was going through really tough times, they would come and give me a hug or a cup of tea.”
The actress admitted that the shoot marked the “first time” her children saw her cry, as she usually tries to “hide” any “pain and sadness” from them.
“Probably one of the most intense things was that, usually, when I express so much pain, it is not in front of my children,” she said.
“You try to hide from your children how much pain and sadness you carry around with you. And for them to be there for you when you express it at that level, I think that was the first time they heard me cry like that. That usually happens in the shower.”
Jolie has six children with ex-husband Brad Pitt: Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 16.
She and Pitt, 60, got together in 2004 after meeting on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith and married in 2014. The couple announced their separation in 2016, and the breakup has been bitter.
Both Jolie and Pitt have new films debuting at this year's Venice Film Festival, with the former promoting Maria and the latest release Wolveswhich also stars George Clooney.
The festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, said there would be “no way” for the exes to cross paths during the event, as Pitt will only arrive in Venice on Saturday (August 31), after Jolie has already left.
Jolie also said The Hollywood Reporter who currently has to stay in Los Angeles due to her divorce, but hopes to move once her youngest children turn 18.
“I grew up in this town,” she said. “I’m here because I have to be here after a divorce, but as soon as they’re 18, I can leave.”
“When you have a large family, you want them to have privacy, peace, security. I have a home now to raise my children, but sometimes this place can be… that humanity that I found on the other side of the world is not the one I grew up with here. [After Los Angeles,] I will be spending a lot of time in Cambodia and visiting my relatives wherever they are in the world.”
