Angelina Jolie’s decision to pursue her career as a female director has been out in the open ever since the announcement of Unbroken, the Louis Zamperini biopic. As this is not the only directing project of the actress for the following years, cinema-goers will often find her behind the cameras, rather than on the big screen. The latest media-fuss around Angelina is based on her statement to different publications that she is seriously thinking about giving up her acting and retreating into the position of a female director.
Du Jour tags Angelina as a visionary as invites her to talk about Unbroken, probably one of the most expected movies of the year, which revives an Olympic runner, both a strong man and a great human. The article focuses on the director’s relationship with the crew of actors, with emphasis on Jack O’Connell, young performer and lead of the movie, known from Skins (TV Series 2009-2013). According to Angelina, the movie teaches about the necessity of man to find his inner ‘’fire’’ and furthermore decide the path of that certain blaze. When asked to point at her passion and addiction, she stated that acting was never her favorite field and confessed that she decided to retreat from that position: “I’ve never been comfortable as an actor; I’ve never loved being in front of the camera” (…). Although the actress lately confessed that she would consider a career in politics, her wish is to remain in the cinematographic industry, but behind the cameras: “I didn’t ever think I could direct, but I hope I’m able to have a career at it because I’m much happier.” Furthermore, she indicated that she would ‘’absolutely’’ give up acting.
Currently, she stars along with her husband, Brad Pitt in the drama-romance film By the Sea, which she also directs. Not much is known about the plot of the movie, but it is said to be released next year. According to an interview given to Variety, Angelina stated that she will do ‘’a few more’’ movies, although certain of the fact that she will retire from acting. Whether By the Sea is the last production to meet with Angelina Jolie – the actress – or not, is still debatable.
What is obvious and certain is the humanitarian’s desire to continue directing after Unbroken and By the Sea. Jolie devotees track her directing experience back to In the Land of Blood and Honey, a 2011 attempt which focuses on the Bosnian War. The newly-shaped director will be acclaimed or criticized once Unbroken is released to the public, on 25 December 2014. It is of utmost importance that the female director already received her blessing from Louis Zamperini himself, before his death in July 2014.