Angelina Jolie, a globally recognized actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian, has carved a unique path through Hollywood and the international stage. For two decades, she has dedicated herself to her role as a Special Envoy for the UN Refugee Agency, leveraging her platform to advocate for displaced populations worldwide. This commitment, which began in her early twenties, reflects a personal journey of seeking broader understanding and a fierce dedication to combating injustice. Jolie’s evolution from a young activist eager to challenge systems to a seasoned advocate working from within highlights her deep-seated passion for change.
A Two-Decade Journey with the UN Refugee Agency
Jolie’s extensive involvement with the UN Refugee Agency, or UNHCR, has been a defining aspect of her public life. She reflects on this period with a complex mix of emotions. While she expresses love for the practical solutions and protection offered to those in dire need, and admiration for those who risk their lives in this pursuit, she also voices frustration. Jolie criticizes the lack of governmental focus on addressing the root causes of displacement and laments instances where the rights of all people are not defended equally. She also notes a concern that the system sometimes appears to benefit from keeping vulnerable populations dependent rather than fostering independence.
Evolving Discourse on Refugees
In Jolie’s view, the global discourse surrounding refugees has unfortunately deteriorated over the past twenty years. She observes a tendency to frame refugees as a burden, overlooking their resilience and the profound lessons they’ve learned through adversity. Jolie argues that refugees possess unique skill sets and a deep understanding of humanity, having confronted oppression and protected their families. She believes their struggles and courage deserve honor, as do the actions of those who flee conflict and defend their children.
Directing and Acting: A Dual Creative Force
Beyond her humanitarian work, Jolie has also established herself as a formidable presence in the film industry. She has directed both feature and documentary films, with a notable upcoming project being a biopic about the renowned war photographer Don McCullin. Jolie expresses immense admiration for McCullin, describing him as incredible and admitting to still feeling nervous when contemplating reaching out to him for details. Her adaptation aims to explore not only McCullin’s life but also the conflicts he has documented and the often untold, darker truths behind his iconic photographs.
Embracing the Marvel Universe
Later in 2021, Jolie is set to appear in Marvel’s ‘Eternals,’ a venture into the superhero genre alongside co-stars Richard Madden and Salma Hayek. She expresses enthusiasm for the diverse cast and her support for director Chloé Zhao’s vision, as well as Marvel’s ambition to broaden the portrayal of superheroes. While acknowledging the unexpectedness of donning a gold bodysuit in her forties, Jolie embraces the role as a “good crazy” experience, indicating a willingness to explore new creative territories.
Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations
Jolie candidly shares that the past few years have been challenging, with her primary focus being on her family’s healing process. She likens this recovery to a gradual thaw, with life and vitality slowly returning. Despite not yet feeling fully healed, she remains hopeful and is actively working towards that goal. She expresses a newfound comfort and appreciation for her forties, finding a sense of victory in reaching this age, particularly in contrast to her mother’s shorter lifespan. This perspective fuels her anticipation for her fifties, which she believes will be a period of hitting her stride. She humorously recounts an instance where her children cautioned her against jumping on a trampoline due to her age, a stark contrast to her past image as an action star. This experience underscores her recognition that children often provide a grounding perspective, valuing safety, love, and stability above all else. Jolie concludes by emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s own truth and living authentically, without falsehood.