Angelina Jolie has long ruled Hollywood in front of the camera. Now, as a director, she may conquer the rest of the film industry as well: Unbroken is based on the best-selling Laura Hillenbrand biography of Louis Zamperini anD boasts Joel and Ethan Coen among its writers. It’s already leading to speculation that the Jolie-Pitt family might be battling each other at Oscar time with duelling WWII pics (Pitt’s Fury was released late last year). We caught up with her in Malta, where she was shooting her third film, By the Sea – a raw domestic drama in which she also co-stars with her husband.
How’s the new film?
We’re halfway through. We’re enjoying it, but that’s a funny word to use, because the story is really so intense and heavy.
You’re the director and screenwriter?
I wrote it a few years ago, thinking about Brad as a character, and extreme behaviour for both of us to play or explore. The heart of it is actually about how different people live through grief, and then how they relate and attack each other for it.
Why did you decide to make a war film?
Like most, I’m very curious about World War II. As an actress, I’m limited in stories, because the women weren’t on the frontline. As director, I can go right to the frontline.
For the full interview grab the February 2015 issue of MAXIM, in stores from January 22 to February 18.
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