Wednesday, 26 February 2014

'I sat in my room wondering what to do with my life': Angelina Jolie on how new film Unbroken gave her meaning... and how she 'pitched her butt off' to get it made

She recently wrapped filming her second directorial effort Unbroken.

And Angelina Jolie revealed in an interview on the Today show on Tuesday that the movie gave her life meaning.

'...I've been sitting in my room laying there thinking, "What am I supposed to be doing with my life? I want do something important. I need some help. I need some guidance. Where is it?" And it was right outside my window,' said the 38-year-old, referring to the subject of her film, WWII hero Louis Zamperini, who happened to be her neighbour in Los Angeles.
'I want to do something important': Angelina Jolie said in an interview on the Today show Tuesday her new film Unbroken about WWII hero Louis Zamperini (pictured) gave her life meaning
'I want to do something important': Angelina Jolie said in an interview on the Today show Tuesday her new film Unbroken about WWII hero Louis Zamperini (pictured) gave her life meaning

Angelina sat alongside 97-year-old Louis as she opened up to NBC host Tom Brokaw about her experience making the film.

She and Louis clearly share a deep affection for each other, and the mother of six snuggled up to the former Olympic runner during the interview.

'[It's] such a huge responsibility to get it right. Because I love him so much,' she said. 'And because he's helped me so much in my life.'
For full interview visit Today

Uplifting: Angelina said what attracted her to the story was its hopeful message
Uplifting: Angelina said what attracted her to the story was its hopeful message

'I love him so much': Angelina and Louis clearly share a deep affection for each other as they snuggled during the interview
'I love him so much': Angelina and Louis clearly share a deep affection for each other as they snuggled during the interview 
Natural beauty: The star smiled happily during the interview, her radiance shining through
Natural beauty: The star smiled happily during the interview, her radiance shining through


Their friendship came about serendipitously - unbeknownst to Angelina, Louis was her neighbour.

'I imagine that for the last 10-something years, he has been sitting there having a coffee in the morning and wondering who’s going to make this movie,' the actress said.

Meanwhile, the meaning she was looking for was 'right outside her window.'
Dressed down: Angelina wore black skinny trousers and a loose-fitting grey sweater for the interview
Dressed down: Angelina wore black skinny trousers and a loose-fitting grey sweater for the interview

His main squeeze: Louis looked thrilled when Angelina gave him a big kiss on the cheek
His main squeeze: Louis looked thrilled when Angelina gave him a big kiss on the cheek

Effortless: Angelina wore her brown hair loose and straight and kept her make-up simple, opting for a pink gloss and a light touch of foundation
Effortless: Angelina wore her brown hair loose and straight and kept her make-up simple, opting for a pink gloss and a light touch of foundation

'I wanted to direct something again, but I just wasn't sure what. And it had to be something I love and care about because it takes much more time away from your family, much more effort than acting,' she said.

The film is based on Seabiscuit author Lauren Hillenbrand's bestselling book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, And Redemption.

What attracted her to the story was its hopeful message.
Walkabout: Angelina took a stroll with Tom Brokaw in the leafy neighbourhood
Walkabout: Angelina took a stroll with Tom Brokaw in the leafy neighbourhood

The director at work: Angelina was show looking at footage from the film, which is due for release Dec. 25
The director at work: Angelina was show looking at footage from the film, which is due for release Dec. 25

And, action! Angelina seen on set of the film in Australia
And, action! Angelina seen on set of the film in Australia

'[The world] can seem hopeless and it can seem very overwhelming,' she said. 'But the resilience and the strength of the human spirit is an extraordinary thing.'

But even for superstar Angelina, getting the film made was a challenge.

'This has been the hardest thing I've ever done,' said Angelina, whose directorial debut was the Oscar-nominated In The Land Of Blood And Honey. 
Challenging: According to screenwriters Joel and Ethan Coen, the many war scenes and water and aerial shoots make the production process all the more problematic, Angelina pictured on set in January
Challenging: According to screenwriters Joel and Ethan Coen, the many war scenes and water and aerial shoots make the production process all the more problematic, Angelina pictured on set in January


The star admitted she made 'all these boards...and put them all into a garbage bag and carried them myself to Universal.'

'I pitched my butt off,' she added.
Skins actor Jack O'Connell stars in the lead role as Louis, who was taken prisoner by the Japanese army during the second World War.
The movie also stars Garrett Hedlund and About Time actor Domhnall Gleeson.
It is scheduled for a Dec. 25 release.
Next stop, Oscars! Angelina and her partner were announced as presenters on Monday at this weekend's Academy Awards, pictured earlier this month in London
Next stop, Oscars! Angelina and her partner were announced as presenters on Monday at this weekend's Academy Awards, pictured earlier this month in London

DM

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