These are even more photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt on the set of her new film, which she has written and will be directing. We had some photos yesterday, but there are a little bit better – the photographers got much closer. Anyway, as it turns out, the big story was not about Brad visiting the set and the two of them being solid. The big story was about Bosnia banning the film’s production. While Angelina seems to be filming the bulk of the film in Budapest – which I believe is standing in Bosnia, as they’re trying to recreate a war zone – Angelina probably wanted to move the production at some point to Bosnia, probably for some exteriors that wanted to be “authentic.” Some people are claiming that this is just horrible, and Angelina is going to fail as a director because she can’t get into Bosnia – well, whatever. In my opinion, they probably have a contingency plan that involves shooting the whole thing on the cheap in Budapest. That’s not what bothers me, though. What bothers me is WHY Bosnia refuses to let the film production in. It involves a den of whispers about what the film’s story is actually about… a rape victim falling in love with her rapist?
Bosnian authorities on Wednesday revoked permission for US star Angelina Jolie to shoot part of her directorial debut film there after complaints from a women war victims group, Bosnian radio reported.
Gavrilo Grahovac, the Culture Minister of the Muslim-Croat federation — one of the two entities in post-war Bosnia — revoked permission to shoot scenes in Sarajevo and the central town Zenica, he said on Bosnian radio.
Hollywood trade daily Variety reported that the film will tell the story of a Serbian man and Bosnian woman who fall in love in the middle of the war, but are driven to take different paths. However Bosnian press reported the movie would be a love story between a Muslim victim and her rapist, a Serb, causing outrage among victims’ groups.
“They no longer have the authorisation to shoot in Bosnia. They will have it if they send us the scenario with a story which will be different from what we have been told by people who read it,” Grahovac told the radio.
The culture minister said that while he could not stop the film from being shot somewhere else, revoking the filming license was a way to “express our disapproval for the shooting of a movie which does not tell the truth and hurts a large number of victims”.
But women war victims groups were up in arms over the film’s reported subject of a rapist and his victim falling in love.
“This is misleading history. Among thousands of testimonies by women raped during the war, there is not a single one that tells of a love story between a victim and her rapist,” Bakira Hasecic, the head of the “Women victims of war” association in Sarajevo, told AFP.
“We will not allow anyone to falsify our pain,” she added.
International organisations have estimated that thousands of women were raped during the Bosnian war. In February 2001, the UN war crimes court for the former Yugoslavia convicted three Bosnian Serbs for crimes against humanity and war crimes after they were found guilty of rape and forced prostitution of Bosnian Muslim women in the southeastern town Foca.
[From AFP]
So did Angelina Jolie actually write a screenplay in which the main love story is between a rape victim and her rapist? Or is this just some dumb rabble-rousing by a Bosnian official and a jacked-up deejay? According to one of Jolie’s producers, everyone is getting all up in arms over nothing:
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie on Thursday battled to convince Bosnian authorities to allow her to film a war-time love story after they revoked the licence to film her directorial debut. Sarajevo’s Scout Film which works with Jolie on the movie said it had submitted the script to the culture ministry of the Muslim-Croat federation after claims it involved a relationship between a rapist and his victim.
“I brought them the script and I am waiting for a positive response as soon as possible, I hope even today,” Scout Film’s Edin Sarkic said.
Sarkic told AFP that there was no storyline involving the rape of a Muslim girl by a Serb captor, whom she later falls in love with.
“Of course I deny that. It is not in the script,” he said.
He added that he spoke to Jolie’s production company about the trouble in Bosnia and “they are confident that things will be worked out quickly”.
[From AFP]
So, like with seemingly everything around Angelina Jolie, people jumped the gun, misreported and got enraged and huffy over nothing. At least some rape-victim-advocacy groups got some publicity out of it, though. I bet they were able to raise some money off this issue. While I’m not thrilled that Angelina is off in Budapest doing this film (she should be in Hollywood, making Gravity for a more than $20 million paycheck), I do give her credit for being smart enough to NOT write a “love story” about a rape victim falling in love with her rapist. I mean, come on.
Photos of Brangelina on Jolie’s Budapest set on October 13, 2010. Credit: Fame & Bauer-Griffin.
I for one am happy she chose not to do Gravity. I think this movie is something she is more passionate about than a paycheck and we need more women directors. As for the rumor it keeps getting repeated but would the UN be funding this movie if that were the case (come on).
I’m really glad to know that’s not what the story involves.
and honestly, when I heard that yesterday, I reacted negatively, but I was really hoping that Jolie, being the humanitarian she is, wouldn’t have written something that would be so offensive or painful to so many women.
it’s still not the genre of movie I enjoy, but I’m glad that it’s not what I thought (and what was reported).
I certainly hope that’s not the case. You’d think Angelina would be more sensitive about that kind of thing. I mean, she’s always weepy-eyed in picture when she’s talking to refugees and stuff.
Personally, I think the film sounds interesting (what I’ve read about it, which is NOT what was originally indicated). Even if there was some basis to the premise of it being a story about a “rape victim who falls in love with her rapist” I’m sure that is just an oversimplification. I doubt Jolie is that insensitive, especially given the political heat behind the making of this film. I also wanted to add that the basic idea, if you remove the political aspect of the Bosnian war, is not that different than a Stockholm Syndrome scenario where a captive begins to identify with captor. Maybe that was the idea? Regardless, it sounds pretty intense and it’ll be interesting to see how she fares as a director.
Oh thank God! I have been losing so much sleep over this!
Yea I knew damn well Angie wouldn’t do some sh*t like make a movie like that and offend people. I love that woman so much. 😀 LOL Goodness. Now people can shut the heck up and let Angie make her movie, which is gonna be amazing and awesome. So excited for Angie.
She should be very very careful because she’s touching a sensitive subject. Bosnian war finished 15 years ago, families of the victims and women who survived rape and torture will see the movie and read about it. Even the premise of the love story between a Serbian man and a Bosnian woman in the middle of the war is very tricky, trust me, situation in Bosnia is complicated, and people are sensitive about that. I don’t blame them. Hollywood often makes silly stories about events in other countries.
Maybe Stockholm syndrome is involved in here somewhere? Either way, I believe Angelina’s people on this one. I just can’t see her doing that at all. Not that I like her that much, but come on. She’s not totally stupid.
SOOOO sick of her being attacked for everything and nothing.
I honestly don’t know how she keeps her head up.
People are constantly making up lies about her and then hoping to god that she fails, or that her family falls apart. It’s sick.
To be the focus of that kind of scrutiny and jealousy and ill will and to still just go about your life and not whine about it, and to kick ass as well, it’s pretty inspiring actually.
“Hollywood often makes silly stories about events in other countries.”
..AND about our own country-don’t forget “Pearl Harbor”….
C’mon, you really believe she would write that crap? She is a Goodwill Ambassador, she travels t bring awareness to other people’s suffering.
Sounds like publicity stunt to me.
Ohh, I just want to feed her.
Does she know about all the beautiful colors in the world? Or is the all black thing part of a vampira thing. Maybe she has Brad’s blood in a vial in her pocket. hehehehe………..
this is NOT the first time this topic has been used : remember LUKE & LAURA on General Hospital ????
This brings back memories of when “The Satanic Verses” was published. The people who were screaming the loudest for the book to be banned were the people who had never read the book.
When this movie was first talked about it was supposed to be a “Romeo & Juliet” type story. Also, it supposedly actually happen. There was no mention of rape. It was about two young people from different ethnic groups who fall in love. Now, all of a sudden, some group makes a fuss based on rumors about a script they haven’t even seen. Ridiculous! But par for the course when it comes to Angelina Jolie. People seem to jump to conclusions really fast without thinking when it comes to this woman.
And, of course, all over the internet haters or hating. This story has made their day!!
Actually Cheyenne, it was the Muslims who screamed the loudest, who HAD read the book, and knew of it’s content, who wanted it banned.
And this is nothing against the Muslims, it is just the facts. They found it disrespectful, and blasphemous.
@mslewis: If the trolls think this will derail the movie from being made, they can forget it. They can shoot the whole movie in Budapest or some other location.
I really don’t care what its about, if shes involved in it, I won’t see it..have never been a fan of hers or Brads.
Angelina has met with and interviewed WAY too many refugee rape victims to romanticize their pain in any way whatsoever. It’s something she’s spoken out against and described in detail in a book published through the UN; I highly doubt she’s write a movie that glosses over the topic. Come on…
I agree with Mare on this. It doesn’t have to be about a woman falling in love with a rapist to be extremely offensive and damaging to the women who survived the systematic and brutal rape in that war. Even if it’s about two people falling in love before the war, it is still romanticizing an era of rape and torture. And that romanticization is offensive to the women who survived.
Shame on this “celebrity” who is abusing all her power in this way. This just proves to me that for all her humanitarian efforts she lacks a deep commitment to educating herself about the issues she’s involved with. NO ONE and certainly no woman with any sort of sensitivity to the history of the war and the suffering of those surviors would do this. What a lack of empathy and true understanding.
I’m with many on this, you shouldn’t believe hearsay and just run with it. Angelina would never hurt r.p. victims than they already have. She’s actually worked really hard to speak out and help those women and children around the world who have no voice to do so. Just sickens me to hear a few wishing her failure and only believing the worst.
If I’m not mistaken this film is loosely based on a true story she was told by a Bosnian woman she met in Sarajevo during her UN trip last April. I trust she will be sensitive in how she handles this situation but you can’t please everyone.You can’t tell everyone’s story with one film.
Actually has been done. Am old. Remember a made for tv movie with Linda Blair? Can’t remember the name, but she was “kidnapped” and then fell in love with her captor.
Sweet Hostage 1975
Linda Blair and believe it or not Martin Sheen.
@ Mare: Co sign
I feel so powerless over the fact that the whole world is looking at us like we are some kind of psycho savages/murders/rapist. Filming this kind of film won’t help a bit. How much does Angelina Jolie know about the situation in former republics of Yugoslavia?! I hope not, but I can assume, that this film will be just another in long row of one sided “documentaries” about the war. Angelina, please stop before you offend someone.
Maybe we can reserve judgement until we actually SEE the movie?
This is just like the rest of hype when it comes to Angelina Jolie. Judged before anyone really knows any facts. She’s not stupid and would never glamourize the plight of the very people she trys to help. She KNOWS what went on and what is going on in Bosnia. This project is close to her heart, and I’m sure it’s just another way she is trying to bring awareness to the situation.
@devilgirl: The Muslims claimed “The Satanic Verses” slandered the Prophet Mohammed and called all his wives whores. If they had actually read the book, the would have known it said nothing of the sort. I have read it — three times — and what Rushdie actually said in the book was nowhere near what the Muslim fanatics were claiming he said. The book is about a devout Muslim who lost his faith and turned against his religion. Maybe that was what upset so many Muslims. What they would have found out, had they actually read the book, was that the book’s protagonist is a paranoid schizophrenic who is so tormented by his inner demons that he finally commits suicide.
I watched a TV news show in which a Muslim scholar was ranting against the book. When the commentator asked him if he had actually read it, he said “Of course I would never read a book that slandered the Prophet.” When the commentator asked him how did he know the book slandered the Prophet if he never read it, he said that was what everybody told him.
Go figure.
You’re right, Cheyenne. And isn’t this usually how it is? How about all the people who protested “Last Temptation of Christ” without seeing it? I remember one protester saying, “I don’t need to try heroin to know it’s bad for me!” What a dumbass. He probably thought that was a brilliant analogy. Like art and drugs are the same thing. Some people…
@ Cheyenne:
As a former Muslim, (I was raised as one from birth until I was 12, and didn’t learn to speak english until I started going to public school at 7, all while growing up in Brooklyn NY) I have to admit that it is typical Muslim behavior to jump to conclusion or overreacting (amongst other things), before knowing the full facts of the situations.
Cheyenne: reminds me of when people were screaming about burning the Quran.
I tried to read The Satanic Verses, but as a practicing Muslim, I opened it, read the first few pages, skipped ahead to the middle, then found myself so disgusted with what I was reading that I put it down and never picked it up again. Not too bothered about it, though, and as a practicing writer, don’t believe in book burning of any sort.
@Kitten. wow. so agree with you.
@truthSF: I’ve never been Muslim so I can’t say what is “typical” Muslim behavior but I can say for certain that no religion has a monopoly on stupidity. AAMOF it is mainly right-wing Christians who insist that President Obama is a closet jihadist who was born in Kenya, or something like that.
@trillion: I remember watching The Last Temptation of Christ and wondering what in the world was all the fuss about.
Don’t judge it before it comes out. Though I do find this too soon for those who lived through this war.
Being a film producer in Croatia, a country that was in a similar situation as Bosnia, I do understand that some people find filming this kind of story offending. It’s been 15 years, but it’s not enough to get over it. I assume that women in Bosnia are reacting the way they are because of the fact that genocide that happened in Srebrenica was not horrible enough for Den Haag to call it ”genocide”, Serbia has never officially admitted any crimes, or apologised for it, and now a Hollywood actress wants to make a movie about Serbian man and Bosnian woman falling in love. For my generation it’s nothing strange, but for those who have felt this war, and there were to many, it’s more than impolite. And Bosnian Ministry of culture is ….. it’s to complicated; let’s just say they refused to fund Jasmila Žbanić’s (known Bosnian director) just because they found her film (love story involving a Muslim man who becomes opsessed with the religion) controversial.
Poopie: I immediately thought of General Hospital also.
It’s not offensive folks, it’s called Stockholm syndrome. Read up 🙂
Rape or not, this story is lame & unrealistic. Will probably be a stinker. While it’s commendable that she is involved in international causes, I sometimes feel she is anti-American & has disdain for her own country, people & culture; as evidenced by her concern for foreign orphans, refugees, poverty, womens issues, etc., in other countries.— What about addressing those issues in the US?
I’m not talking about Brad Pitt here (in case someone jumps).
One day soon this misguided attitude will come & bite her in the ass, as she thinks she can carry out vanity & inflamatory projects without consequence because ironically, she is AMERICAN & RICH, & has the resources & FREEDOM to do what she wants.
Again, I don’t know about her screenplay, but it’s my theory if the rumors are true.
Even if it’s about two people falling in love before the war, it is still romanticizing an era of rape and torture. And that romanticization is offensive to the women who survived.
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Love stories are not always romantic in nature, nor do they always “romanticize” an era. From what I understand, the story is based on something told to Angelina, and it’s about two people who fall in love, only to discover that when war breaks out, they are on opposing sides. This kind of film CAN be done, and if it is done well and with a deft hand, can be effective, thought producing, and eye opening. But it’s all in the treatment, and that has yet to be seen.
AJ seems too savvy to do a totally off-the-rails story after she’s worked so hard to rehabilitate her image. The hysterical tabloid press is bad enough w/o provocation. But it will prob chase her til she’s 60 — too hard to efface the extreme over-sharing & attention-seeking of her youth: ‘Oh, I <3 knives & cutting,’ squwicky brother-kissing on red carpets, the TMI about sex life w/Billy Bob, etc. Most of us can live down some exhibitionist idiocy from our 20s, ’cause (thank heaven!) we weren’t being interviewed by the media. Maybe people are disappointed that she’s grown up.
Thanks for the pix, Kaiser. They’re so freaking pretty. But is BP growing in the Billy Goat Beard again? That is just cruel.
I thought of Luke and Laura too. One Life to Live did that story line with Todd and Blair also. Not that it makes it at all appropriate, because it’s really not….
@Jazmin. Just because she helps refugees, it does not mean she’s “Anti-American.” What a ridiculous conclusion to make.
And she does contribute to American charities, but it’s not always reported. They gave something like 8 million to charities last year–it wasn’t all to refugees.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. —
A purse once used by Angelina Jolie is being auctioned to raise money for Boys and Girls Town of Missouri. It’s part of the “Handbags of Hope” Charity event at Highland Springs Country Club Thursday morning.
This is the fifth year Brangelina has made a donation to the charity.
The purse, made by Swiss designer Akris, is worth more than $4,000. Jolie signed the inside of it. It’s one of 160 bags that will be auctioned off. The money will help fund programs like foster care, residential treatment, and homeless youth. Tickets are all sold out.
Boys and Girls Town of Missouri is currently helping 200 kids, who either ran away from an abusive home, were abandoned by their parents, or just needed a place to call home. They range from infants, to 21-year-olds.
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@Jazmin: I don’t think words exist to adequately describe how short-sighted and narrow-minded that attitude is.
@Rosanna: Stockholm syndrome was the first thing that occurred to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome
@Bina: Some people found The Satanic Verses very difficult to get into. I’d never read anything by Rushdie before and I bought TSV just to see what all the uproar was about. I thought it was terrific — plot, characterization and everything. But I’ve never been able to get into any book he’s written since. He wrote two prior to TSV, Shame and Midnight’s Children, which are both excellent. Check them out when you have time.
MuMu: people living in places other than the USA are not called refugees.
People need to read the story before they start bashing. There is no rape in the movie. I don’t know if the Angelina hatred is funny or sad. There have been other movies about Bosnia so I don’t know why people are outraged just because Angelina is making one.
What a stupid thing is to throw an expensive party to see who gets the “purse once used by Angelina Jolie”. If I had that money i wouldn’t get a fucking celebrity purse! And if I’d wanted to do charity with my $$ I’d give it directly to people who need it.
An auction for Angelina’s purse…. what a cynical,crazy world this is.
@Beth: They’re outraged because she’s making one. Ipso facto. They would be outraged if she made a movie about the Care Bears.
I think the general outrage is more directed at the fact that people are generally sick of America westernizing world events and tragedies, especially via Hollywood movies. I know I am, and Enough is Enough. Who knows if that is what she will do here, but I get the inkling that this is the general train of thought here.
I have to say though, I really dont care what she is doing – we need more women BEHIND the camera. Remember the last time you saw more than three female names in the rolling credits of anything ever made? Yeah, me neither. No wonder misogyny is still so prevalent in the media.
@ wonderful
first part of your comment: YES, thank you very much!!! Tell them!
It isn’t that I don’t agree with the second part, which I do, but with the first part you really hit the nail on the head
No talent hack. She is incredibly good at generating headlines about her inane life though. Just look at the army of tards who follow her every move online. They’re the only ones seeing her awful films.
@ Cheyenne: As much as it pains me, I have to agree with you on this one. I have also read The Satanic Verses and your assessment is accurate. I don’t think AJ would write anything to offend sensibilities, specially regarding war refugees. I believe we should all wait for the movie to come out. In my opinion, when AJ decided to undertake this project, it was because she intends to bring attention to the ravages of war and its victims.
@wonderful. Did you even read my comment? Nowhere did I say that people living in places other than the US are refugees??? I was responding to someone who said Angelina only helps foreigners, refugees, etc. in other nations. I made a point that she helps people in the US also. So, your comment does not make any sense.
She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: Completely agree with you. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
@Confuzzle: Her last five “awful” films made $1.3 BILLION. Must be an awful lot of “tards” out there.
Yup, it’s good to see more women behind the camera offering their perspective. I’m a huge fan of Kathryn Bigelow, she’s a force of nature. Allison Anders is also another director I admire.
Hopefully Ange can deliver the goods too.
A few months ago Aussie actor Miranda Otto said:
‘The biggest audience for films is women over 30, yet so much of the time you hear producers say, ‘We’re looking to target 15-year-old boys in the Midwest’, and you’re like, ‘Really? Do you not want anybody else?’
Maybe the studios should take that on board and produce more films with female writers and directors.
For those of you who are interested Women and Hollywood is a good site and well worth checking out: http://womenandhollywood.com/
Bubbling: Thanks love! It’s as plain as day to me!
MuMu: You repeatedly say refugees- no other terms. Excuse me for going by your post alone instead of reading your mind.
can’t believe how thin Angie is these days. She even looks skinny in a puffa jacket! Eat girl eat.
i seriously doubt angelina would be dumb enough to have a rape/love story in her script. that sounds like something lindsay lohan would write, though.
what about the luke & laura saga on gh which was eons ago. & it was a must see everyday by everyone.