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If you’d like to do some reading, Newsweek has a fantastic article up about Angelina Jolie, and the making of A Mighty Heart.
The tag line is wonderful:
‘A Mighty Heart’ is the story of Mariane Pearl’s unquenchable spirit. It’s not a bad description of the actress who plays her, either.
How true!
The article talks about some of the difficulties they had in shooting such a highly sensitive movie on location in parts of the world that weren’t all that open to it and the tensions that come with a story like this in our nervous, post-911 world.
They also discuss her work that she does as an activist and the fact that Angelina is still accused of being a “celebrity tourist” who only does this for the publicity.
It’s a charge that irritates those closest to her. “What would she have to do to prove that she’s sincere?” says Pitt’s producing partner, Dede Gardner. “Should she give more money? More time? It’s a black-hole debate. When people judge anyone’s sincerity, I just think, ‘Oh, yeah? What are you doing?’ ”
Still, does Jolie really understand complex global issues, or does she just show up for a photo op wherever the UNHCR sends her? “She’s absolutely serious, absolutely informed,” says former secretary of State Colin Powell. “Her work with refugees is not something to decorate herself. She studies the issues.” Powell has spoken with Jolie several times over the years, and they’ve been honored together at benefits for refugee causes. There is, he says, no sanctimony about her. “For her, it’s not about saving the world, it’s about saving kids,” he says. “She doesn’t need this. This needed her.”
Not everyone doubts her though.
“She has evolved in her understanding of where she can make the biggest impact,” says her philanthropic adviser, Trevor Neilson. “Her strategies have become extremely sophisticated, and it’s clear that she is now a serious player on international issues.”
Newsweek goes on to say that except for Beyond Borders, most of her roles are fantasy roles – movies that are fun but don’t boost her career towards the Oscar path again. It says that A Mighty Heart does.
“It’s probably the most difficult character I’ve ever played,” Jolie says. “The emotion is so raw and so constant. Mariane was calm, focused, organized, but I would have been hysterical, driving the streets of Karachi like a crazy person.”
As always, there was the reminder of the wild child that Angelina used to be. I loved the response to that:
“We all go through enormous changes,” Gardner says. “The truth is, who doesn’t look back at who they were at 20 and say, ‘Who the f— is that?’ “
The article gives us some more insight into the intense and strong friendship between Angelina Jolie and Marianne Pearl and how the two get along.
It was Pitt who introduced Jolie and Pearl. “Being in the room with those two women is great fun,” he says. “It’s like sitting down with Roosevelt and Churchill.” Pause. “Only much better-looking.”
Both Angelina and Marianne were blindsided by the negative comments about whether the right actress was chosen based on skin color.
“I know that people are frustrated at the lack of great roles [for people of color], but I think they’ve picked the wrong example here,” Jolie says. Pearl is more pointed: “This is not about skin color. I wanted her to play me because I trust her.” She sighs. “Aren’t we past this?”
And in the end, it always comes down to the same important thing for Angelina – it always comes down to her family. She was asked about whether it ever gets to her, all the neverending noise of paparazzi, fans, critics.
“People can question your choices, accuse you of things, but your real work and your integrity will [win] out,” she says. “All that matters is if I build a strong family, if I’m able to do my advocacy work and if my children are happy.”
The article is awesome. This is not tabloid material, this is quality reporting. Please go read the entire article right here and let’s discuss it!
(Photo courtesy Newsweek)
(And also, thank you all SO much for the lovely comments about my daughter and asking about her health. The results of the surgery weren’t quite what we had hoped for but the important part is that she is fine, she recovered well, and she’ll be nice and healthy now, so nothing else matters much. A million thanks for all your concern. I love this site because I enjoy sharing news about our favorite celebrity couple and their family, but I also love the interaction with you guys, you’re all the BEST. All those negative sites don’t know what they’re missing!)
Technorati Tags: angelina jolie, newsweek, a mighty heart
nice update ligaya
This article gives a very positive image of Jolie by giving lots of support from those around her. I am sure that those who gave good comments about Jolie did not receive any special gifts from her!
ligaya, thanks for the info!
I really hope Angie takes the Oscar home for this. I love the fact that she has a close relationship with the woman she portrays in the movie. And Brad, what else can I say about him? He seems so perfect for Angie. I really hope they stay together and happy!
I think I really like that Dede Gardner :-)
When AMH was first announced it was to be in limited release, after AJ’s tireless promotional work it is now opening everywhere. No wonder Brad is in awe of her.
Angie x 3: tonight Mon. 6/18, Showbiz Tonight; Wed. 6/20, CNN; Thurs. 6/21
Monday 6/18, Showbiz Tonight (on Headline News, CNN’s sister station), new interview, ShowbizTonight’s format is several segments per program, so Angelina Jolie probably won’t be on the whole show.
Wednesday, 6/20, Anderson Cooper 360 degrees, reprise: The commercials seem like this broadcast is the re-airing of Anderson Cooper’s interview last year right after Shiloh’s birth. Angelina offered the interview to Anderson Cooper because he had done stories on Africa. The interview focuses mostly on Angelina’s humanitarian/refugee work. (CNN denied that it paid money for the interview – distinctly legitimate journalism standards and ethics; unlike tabloids).I’m encouraged by some of the blog posts which say that Angelina has won them over with the facts.
Join NEWSWEEK’s Sean Smith for a Live Talk on Thursday, June 21, at 2:00 , ET, about his interview with Angelina Jolie.
ALSO, BIG PACKAGE OF ANGELINA JOLIE & A MIGHTY HEART: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19263097/site/newsweek/
1 AUDIO: MARIANE PEARL on why she wrote book, ANGELINA JOLIE on why she made film,
5 ARTICLES, 1 LIVE TALK, 1 UNCHR VIDEO,
Angelina Jolie Takes On the World The Making of ‘A Mighty Heart’
David Ansen Review: A ‘Riveting Tale’
Zakaria: The Real Problem With Pakistan
Q&A: Mariane Pearl on ‘A Mighty Heart’
Live Talk: Sean Smith on Angelina Jolie
Ur so rite checkers!!!!!
This article, along w/ the ones in Esquire and Marie Claire are some of the best about her. I was pleasantly surprised by the Esquire one since I had never picked up a “posh” men’s magazine.
good article. i particularly liked how the writer describes her moments with Maddox and these clearly shows how great relationship she has with her children and i admire her more for that.
excerpt:
After a long drive through the streets of Mumbai, Jolie arrives home at her hotel. As she enters the suite, a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea sweeps out before her, as does a much closer view of the debris of childhood—toys, clothes, sofa cushions—strewn across the floor. Jolie says “hello” to the empty room, and Maddox, 5, bolts from the hallway, leaps into her arms, wraps his legs around her waist, and starts talking at record-breaking speed about what a day he’s had and how he did a handstand in the bottom of the pool. Jolie’s eyes never leave his face.
But watching her with Maddox, the two of them standing there, foreheads together, framed by the afternoon light, it seems, somehow, like the most radical thing she’s ever said.
i believe in reliable news sources like the Newsweek as compared to other rubbish sources like stupid tabloids.
Angelina Jolie commands my respect. She is someone who is passionate and determined in what she does, this quality of her making her remarkable.
It is a joy to see my favourite actor breaking up with jennifer aniston a few years ago to be in love with this remarkable woman Angelina Jolie.
The two is a match made in heaven~! A perfect match indeed. I am so in love with them!
AMAZING article simply amazing! So good to read such a great article from a LEGITAMATE news source! thanks sherry!
Ange doesn’t have to prove herself nor is she trying… her work speaks for itself.. she has a solid family and she has done most of people around the world who has nothing nice to say about her…. I think being a part and having been elected to be a part of the “think tank” and amongs the elite leaders speak very loud and clear what she is all about..
Sherry, thanks for the update on your kid’s health… more power and God Bless!
Thanks so much for the link. The article is amazing! love it!
thanks Sherry and happy Monday!!!
thanks for putting this up… always good to read any article of our favorite family!
what kind of sunglasses does she where at cannes and the pervious article they are so cool!
Sherry I am happy to hear your daughter is recovered and getting better, I will continue to pray for your family. A million thank you’s to you for starting this site, I love it.
I read this article over the weekend and I was deeply impressed. I was upset though that some people put negative comments in the Newsweek section. It just seems Angie can’t catch a break. I am glad Newsweek did the story and I am going to see A Mighty Heart this weekend.
Very well said. I’ve been a Brangelina fan not so long ago. Something draws me to Brangelina specially Ange is the fact that she cares. People are so judgemental, never see the facts. After reading the article in Newsweek, the more I become her loyal fan, she is a fascinating woman. Why people keeps on bringing the past? Let’s all focus on the present & how she is today. I’m pretty sure, she did justice potraying Marianne Pearl in A Mighty Heart, wether you are black, white, yellow or brown, Angelina Jolie, I’m sure did justice to the movie. She is such a good actress & hopefully, she will win an Oscar on her potrayal as Marianne .A lot of people probably didn’t realize that she didn’t get paid much for this movie, she just wanted to spread the word & tell story about Danny & Marianne Pearl.Iam planning to watch this movie with my husband. I will be Brangelina fan all the way. I love this couple & their international kids. Because of Brangelina, the kids will have good future. Helping a child one at a time, the impact is great. To you Brangelina, I salute you. You are doing a fantastic job.
Well said. I’ve been a fan not so long ago, that draws me to Brangelina specially Ange is the fact that she cares. People are so judgemental, never see the facts. After reading this article in Newsweek, the more I become her loyal fan. She is a fascinating woman. Why people keeps on bringing the past, let’s all focus on the present & how she is today. I’m sure she did good potraying Mariane Pearl in A Mighty heart, wether you are black, whte, yellow or brown, A. Jolie I’m sure do justice in the movie. She is such a good actress & hopefully, she will win an Oscar for this potrayal. A lot of people probably didn’t realize that she didn’t get paid much in this movie, she just wanted to spread the word & tell the story about Danny & Mariane Pearl. Iam planning to see the movie with my husband. I will be Brangelina all the way. I love this couple & their international kids. Because of them they will have good future, helping a child one at a time, the impact is so great. To you Brangelina I salute you.