The Herald Sun talks to Angelina Jolie
November 14, 2008 by Sherry
Once again, Angelina Jolie is in the media but this time it’s by choice in an effort to promote Changeling and answer some questions from the Herald Sun, an Australian publication. Based on the opening of the article, it was an interview given during her time in New York City for the movie’s premiere.
What I love most about the article is that it kicks straight into Angelina Jolie talking about how happy she is with her life right now, and that it was never something that she had expected for herself. My favorite quote is probably when she says, “Brad has always been there for me.”
As with most interviews, they asked her about the difficulties in playing a character like Christine, someone who has to live through having her son taken from her, and how she was able to portray it, being a mother herself.
As a mother, how hard was it for you to play a woman whose worst nightmare is realised when her son goes missing in The Changeling?
It was difficult because the idea of one’s son being kidnapped is one of the worst things any parent can imagine. The loss of a child and not knowing where they are or what is happening to them is probably the absolute worst thing in the world. As a mother, it was harder for me imagining that somebody was abusing my child while they were wondering why mummy wasn’t coming to save them.
What made it particularly troubling for me to put myself into this woman’s head was my own relationship with my son Maddox. I just couldn’t shake the thought of him through the whole film.
She went on to explain that Maddox was on her mind so often during filming simply because of so many similarities between him and her movie son. That must have been creepy and incredibly disconcerting. I think I would have completely freaked out.
When they asked her how complicated life is when you add twin babies, she acknowledged the difficulties but still makes it sound manageable.
It’s a little more stressful in terms of your time because you have two very tiny babies wanting your attention. But it’s also so beautiful to be part of that.
Once you have three or four children, having a few more isn’t going to alter your lifestyle that much.
Brad and I have found a way to organise our time with the children and so we stick to that. It’s also a fascinating new experience for me to have twins and look after them and have the other children seem so curious about them.
A family is a social unit in its own way and watching the children interact is part of your role as a mother.
I remember when Kelly Ripa (co-host of Live With Regis and Kelly for those of you who don’t know her) was talking about having three kids and that it wasn’t as hard with the third as the second – she put it that you have one, and you have more than one. The transition from one to more than one is rough but there isn’t as much transition after that. It sounds like Angelina is on the same wave length.
(If I can veer off-topic for one second, I can’t tell you how much I would LOVE to see Angelina Jolie and Kelly Ripa talking about kids and family life on the show. Seriously!)
She also talked about the effort they all put in to making sure they have a truly multi-cultural family.
What about teaching your kids about religion and culture?
I want to teach them about all religions, and I’m trying to find a way to do that. And when it comes to the subject of adoption, like when my daughter, who’s African, wants her hair to look straight like mummy’s . . . and I look for a Barbie that’s African, and the African Barbie has straight hair! And you know, why has Disney never made a film with an African-American princess?
Remember when we discussed the Disney comment?
It’s a great article, not too long, but a nice switch from the negativity that comes from the tabloids, that’s for sure. Read the whole thing here.
For those of you in Australia, Changeling hits theaters in February – what a long wait!
(Thank you to everyone who emailed me about the story.)
I find it so intriguing the interviews Angelina chooses to give. One minute she’s on the Today Show, the next a little international paper. I find it refreshing that she doesn’t only answer questions posed by certain publications. I think it diversifies things.
Beautiful article–You can tell that she feels blessed. I remember an interview where she said she was dark and Brad was bright. I think life had really made her feel bad about herself, and Brad healed that feeling and made her feel bright. True love will do that!!!
thanks sherry.
angie and brad are meant to be together. god bless their family.
Great to see Australian media staking a little place for itself. And it’s always a treat to hear Angelina speak so happily and lovingly of her family.
By the way, Angelina and Clint Eastwood did an hour long interview on an Australian program called “Enough Rope” hosted by Andrew Denton, which will air near the end of November. Denton is a terrific interviewer and I was thrilled to see that he had managed to get an opportunity to talk with Angelina. After it airs there will be clips and a transcript up at the official website:
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope
Great example of what I like about this person. She grows, matures, gets better and wiser. She seems bold and smart. She seems strong and loving. She doesn’t over explains herself. She really is a great example of a modern woman.
Quick KFP break:
Hollywood Reporter – Paramount/DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda” ranked #2 DVD seller the week ending Nov. 9, but was the real winner. The animated family film was released on a Sunday, an industry first, to capitalize on the stack of Sunday retail newspaper inserts.
The gamble paid off handsomely: Based solely on first-day sales, the film debuted at No. 2 on the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart, selling in a single day nearly 90% of what “Get Smart” sold all week.
“Kung Fu Panda” also was a hit in rental stores, generating 72% as much rental activity last Sunday as “Get Smart,” which bowed at No. 1 on Home Media Magazine’s video rental chart, saw since its release the previous Tuesday.
This was a great article. I truly believe that Brad and Angelina were destined to be together. I can see how much they have both grown from being together and establishing their family unit.
Beautiful interview. Her radiance is always bright because of her inner beauty.
She has grown and matured into this confident woman who is comfortable in her own skin. She has owned her mistakes and used it to guide her path through life.
Good for you Angie. Be happy, because you deserve it.
Shes a HUGE inspiration! Done some wonderful things in her life, including her movies.
I saw Changeling, very moving! OSCAR WORTHY INDEED!!
OT: French speakers, would you help me please? How is “reveillon” pronounced? I need to call Commanders Palace in New Orleans this weekend to see if they’re still serving those dinners and make reservations.
Ligaya!
Reveillon is pronounce ray-vay-ohn. The last syllable is hard for me to explain, it’s not like “on”, the “o” is a bit longer, something like “own” except the “n” is not as hard.
Montreal represent!
Oh and also, there are no words to describe how envious I am that you will spend your “reveillon” in New Orleans! Awesome! I hope you’ll tell us all about it!
realised is spelled wrong
=] Angelina Jolie does the most best interviews ever. I love to listen to her talk. It’s beautiful. I really want to watch Changeling but I am broke and am extremely busy with schoolwork.
On a side note.
There is an upcoming Disney traditional 2D animation movie out 2009 that features an African American princess. It is called the Princess and the Frog. And from the very few screen-caps out the princess does seem to have curly and not straight hair. And coincidentally the story takes place in New Orleans and in specifically the French Quarter. I hope Zee will get to see the movie next year. (I myself cannot wait for that movie, being a huge disney fan especially of classic 2D animation)
I hope Angie stays making movies even one movie a year. I know she loves her family so much and wants to be with them, but like what she said, acting is only second on her list as a career, second to motherhood. We will miss your talent and persona on the big screen, Angie. Hope they both get nominated for those big awards especially Brad. By the way, Australia is a beautiful place. I was there last summer. Ligaya, have fun in New Orleans.
I know people have said Angie just shouldn’t talk about her personal life because for some reason it still rehashes old wounds, but really, she’s happy. I don’t see anything wrong in sharing that with the world. I say, keep talking about your love and family … I like hearing about the cute things about the kids–i.e. Brad talking about Shiloh’s Peter Pan enthusiasm. Angie’s beholden to nobody but her family.
I love what she says about Brad. There’s so much respect and trust there. I know she said she does not really trust anybody, but I think she gives herself little credit in that department. She has enough trust in Brad to be his partner and to create a family with him.
Isn’t it great to hear both Brad and Angie confirming that they are now happier than ever in their lives? Isn’t it great to hear them talking about each other with so much love, respect and appreciation?
I love this part from Angie’s interview: “By doing the things which are important and meaningful to you and not worrying about the rest. How can I complain about anything when I wake up in the morning and I’m surrounded by so much love with Brad and our children and the feeling that comes from sharing my life with them?”
I love the way Angie articulates about her feelings and her life. It’s so beautiful and so inspiring!
Ligaya, have a great time in New Orleans. Please tell us about it when you come back.
I think it’s so cute and poignant that Z said to Angie she wants straight hair like mommy’s ! It’s poignant but it’s cute because it shows how much Z loves her mom. Such a great family.
What a beautiful interview! She is so beautiful inside and out. She doesn´t have anything to hide. She seems to have grown more mature during these past four years she´s been with Brad. Gone is the wild Angie and instead there´s this balanced young woman. There was one part in this interview which nearly brought tears to my eyes. It was the sentence in which she said: “When I see how much love is in Brad´s eyes for the twins and for all our children — it´s a very moving experience for me.” That shows how much Brad loves all their children – no matter are they adopted or biological. They´re all very dear to him. And he sure doesn´t favor one twin over the other. Knox and Vivienne are equally dear to him. Just like Mad, Pax, Zee and Shiloh are. Also the thing that Z wants to have a straight hair like mommy was very cute. This woman deserves all the happines in the world. And she has finally found it. She has Brad and the children. No one can take it away from her. Not even Jennifer Aniston and her nasty comments. God bless this beautiful family always!
Hi from London, UK !!
This site is so great; AJ’s Australian interview gives us even more insight into their life-work-family balance – all revolving around their ‘family-unit’.
But, O Boy, it’s so nice to read all the warm comments as I read this article on Celebitchy last night and it was biased against Angie and what she says, BUT ALSO all the comments were nasty and unkind (except for mine).
I’m sooo pleased pittwatch has redressed the balance, and I feel much happier today.
The last few interviews express how much family life agrees with AJ & Brad, and how devoted they are to each other; also that Angie is so happy and fulfilled nowadays – so secure with brad’s love for Angie and ttheir children, that she’s now thinking of how to pull away from the celebrity-life and focus more and more on being a mom, humanitarian ambassador and partner to Brad.
have a happy and safe trip Ligaya.
What a beautiful interview! This woman has matured a lot during the past four years she´s been with Brad. She says many wonderful things about her family but the one sentence that almost brought tears into my eyes was when she said: “When I see how much love is in Brad´s eyes for the twins and for all our children–it´s a moving experience for me.”. She really means every word of that. For Brad all their children are equally dear. He doesn´t favor one twin over the other or an adopted child over a biological one. He loves all of them very much. Angelina has finally found true love and happiness she deserves in her life. No one can take that from her. Not even a bitter ex-wife of her partner. She and Brad are destined to be together for the rest of their lives. God bless the Jolie-Pitt family always!
hey hey ligaya, you’re lucky to go in nola!!!! i speak french, but i don’t know how to explain you how to say “reveillon” lol!
kari, i said in anothr post that i think too that the extract with Z’s hair is cute! i’m happy to hear that a disney movie with a black princess is on process!
Yes, I am so happy to be hearing/reading the JPs proclaiming to the world how much in love they are and how beautiful their family life is. I, too, hope Angie at least keeps making movies every other year, but she seems to be following in her mom’s footsteps. Didn’t she quit acting to raise Angie and James? So as much as Angie adores her mom, she has become her guiding force. Then again, Angie is one who can’t stay still, always moving with lots of projects, so I don’t think she will give up acting altogether. That I believe.
Thanks Sherry, that is a nice write up. I agree with all the other commenters that it is nice to see and hear both of them talking about their love for each other and their children.
Neela, I think the people who get upset when Angie speaks of her family with such love, are the ones who were saying in the early days of the relationship that they were only together for the children. They were also saying they were not in love with each other, because they were not seen showing affection in public, out of consideration for his ex-wife I believe. So now it annoys them to no end to see them still together and so obviously in love. Someone made a great obsevation on another site , that the people who are so critical of Angie, is not because they are necessarily fans of Jen, but that they hate Angie.
That is the feeling strong women bring out in women who do not take resposibility for their lives.
ANGIE CAN NEVER SAY GOOD ENOUGH STORIES ABOUT HER FAMILY AND BRAD..SO HAPPY FOR THEM!!! GOD BLESS THEIR FAMILY!!!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful lady. Just love her and love listening to her speak. She is such a classy lady who loves her family and her life.
Fan From Vietnam- I agree, and I actually wonder if that comment was Angie’s indirect way of responding to Jen’s Vogue comments.
Joliepittfanatic,
This interview was done in NY as part of her promotion for Changeling premiere, Oct 2008. Just like the BBC interview.
Nothing to do with Ms. Aniston.
Please don’t attribute such guile to Angie. That’s NOT her M.O!
Joliepittfanatic,
This interview was done in NY as part of her promotion for Changeling premiere, Oct 2008. Just like the BBC interview.
Please don’t attribute such guile to Angie. That’s NOT her M.O!
BlessBrangelina- Don’t worry, I don’t think that’s something Angie would do, either. I was just wondering for a bit is all!