The actress made her directorial debut in 2011 with In the Land of Blood and Honey, a portrayal of the Bosnian War.
Angelina Jolie is one of the most renowned Hollywood actresses, filmmaker, and humanitarian. After making her film debut as a child in Lookin' to Get Out (1982), which also featured her father, Jon Voight, Jolie got her first lead role in Hackers (1995). Since then, she has been part of several promising projects, including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Salt (2010), and Maria (2024) among others.
Despite getting all the praise for her act in films, she has proven to be a visionary behind the camera as well, and has helmed several projects, including In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), First They Killed My Father (2017) and Without Blood (2024). Known for her magnetic screen presence, she has certainly carved out an identity as a filmmaker as well. So, on her 50th birthday on June 4, let’s explore her journey behind the camera, which has been a tool for empathy, and change.
The actress made her directorial debut in 2011 with In the Land of Blood and Honey, a portrayal of the Bosnian War. She certainly picked an emotionally complex subject for her debut film, which was deeply rooted in historical trauma. Nonetheless, she did get all the praise for its intention, and she made sure to tell stories that mattered.
Her second feature, Unbroken, revolved around the true story of Louis Zamperini, a U.S. Olympian and World War II survivor. While it was a Hollywood production, it highlighted themes of survival, and the human cost of war.
With In By the Sea, Jolie took turns writing, directing, and starring in the film as well, alongside then-husband Brad Pitt. The film highlighted themes of grief and love, and showcased how Jolie approached fiction.
The film, based on the memoir by Cambodian author and activist Loung Ung, is considered to be her most acclaimed directorial effort to date. Told through the eyes of a child, the film explores the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Since the actress has ties to Cambodia, she made sure of the cultural sensitivity, and cast local actors and filmed in Khmer. It’s a perfect example of Jolie’s evolution as a filmmaker.
Nonetheless, looking at her directorial projects, it is certain that Angelina Jolie remains keen to bring forth the stories of survivors, and is less focused on commercial success of a project and wishes to highlight stories of global human rights.
