This ^^ is a photo of Angelina Jolie in Myanmar as part of a four-day UNHCR visit around the country. Jolie first stopped by Cambodia (with Maddox in tow) to visit the ongoing charitable foundations she has going there – you can read about her work here. I was sort of flabbergasted when I read about the extent of the work being done by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation and the Maddox Chivan Children’s Center. Angelina will be returning to Cambodia soon to film First They Killed My Father. Maddox will be involved with that as well.
As for the trip to Myanmar, she has a lot on her schedule. In addition to spending time with refugees, she’s also doing work with her Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, and she already met with political leaders in-country. She told People Magazine: “I am looking forward to meeting with many people including women’s groups, civil society, displaced people and youth, to learn firsthand from them about their concerns and hopes for the future of their country.” She also says that it was important for her to visit ahead of Myanmar’s November elections.
Ahead of this trip, Angelina did an email interview with the Associated Press. You can read the full piece here and here are some highlights:
The responsibility she feels towards Cambodia: “I feel a deep connection to Cambodia. I want to respect its history and bring a film to the world that will not only show the hardships of war but the dignity and resilience of a people I deeply respect. As Maddox and I prepare the film we will be side by side learning about his country. He is turning 14 next week and this is a very important time for him to understand who he is. He is my son but he is also a son of Cambodia. This is the time for our family to understand all that that means to him and to us. My desire to tell this story in the most truthful and accurate way possible will be my tribute to the strength and dignity of all Cambodian people.”
The film she’s working on: “The intent of this project is not to revisit the horrors of the war but to bring to the screen characters that people around the world will empathize with, and to help other people to learn about Cambodia. What is special about this particular story is that it is told from the perspective of a 5-year-old child, and is based on a child’s emotional experience of war. It sheds light not only on the experience of children during the genocide in Cambodia but of all children who endure war.
Maddox will help… but only after school: “Maddox will be on set every day after school and involved behind the scenes. And yes, Maddox is already involved in the Foundation and will take over my role when he is older.”
Ha, school first, Maddox! While I think it’s amazing that Angelina (and Brad, to a lesser degree) sets up these charitable foundations in her children’s names, I also feel like she should give them more of a choice about running those charities when they are older. Yes, it’s good to teach kids how to be charitable, how to give back to their communities, and how to respect many cultures. But it also feels like, “This is going to yours when you turn 21 and if you don’t take it over, you are going to disappoint me.”
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
I think that’s the right attitude to have though. Huge responsibilities yes, but given the privileged upbringing and life they have it is only right to give back and it is very rare for rich celeb offspring to be seen doing so.
I agree. I think its absolutely the right thing to do. And seeing how she is raising Maddox, I cannot fathom him saying he doesn’t want to take it over.
I think it’s great that Jolie exposes her kids to a life much less charmed than they experience.
I know it’ll make them better people in that they’ll appreciate what they do have so much more and realize how much they can give to those less fortunate.
compare these kids with the Kardashian/Jenner kids… UGH.
I have nothing but respect for the way Brad and Angelina are raising their children. They are raising mindful, responsible people. I’m in awe over Angelina’s activism and using her celebrity for good. She means business and I love her for it.
No complaints here, just appreciation for her efforts.
I agree, aims, and it’s so nice to read about all the Jolie-Pitts are doing worldwide, just the kind of good news we need to see today.
Couldn’t agree more…Vanity Fair just had an article where Paul Newman’s children said part of their inheritances could only be used charitably, per his will. I think it’s a very admirable thing to encourage your children to do as much of as they can, especially when in such a privileged position.
She got Pax with her in this trip no Maddox
“But it also feels like, “This is going to yours when you turn 21 and if you don’t take it over, you are going to disappoint me.”…Huge assumption without any evidence from the poster non?
@Greata, I agree with you about the assumption about MADD. I remember Angelina saying how smart MADD is and I believe Angie would have some idea what her kids are interested in end would guide them to fulfill their dreams. Angelina is very passionate about her charities and I believe her children, or some of them, would like to follow their parents work. I remember her saying Shi has been asking to go on field trips with her for a Long time. IMO, her children are bless to have parents like Brad and Angelina.
I really don’t understand why my mother is team aniston. Yes angelina was wild once upon a time but she has grown into a woman I would aspire to be if I ever happened to be super rich.
Why does there have to be a “team”? Two women, with totally different backgrounds.
Or why can’t people just like both? I think it’s the super fans that continues to pit, no pun intended these two women against each other.
I understand that some dislike AJ because of the circumstances around how her and Brad
got together but some people act like that affected them personally.
It’s the same with Affleck and Garner. There’s rumors of infidelity on his part and he’s been labeled a cheat and a douche. But you know what I don’t care. I like Ben as an actor, director and because of his looks.
I agree with you. the ONLY reason these two women are compared to each other is because they both happened to be involved with/married to the same person.
do we constantly compare Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner? Kylie Minogue and Halle Berry? Scarlett Johanssen (sp?) and Blake Lively? Madonna and Charlize?
why not Juliette Lewis/Robin Givens/GOOP or anyone else who dated Pitt compared to Jolie?
some folks just can’t let it go.
BALLS!
holy hell. can’t we get through one story about AJ without bringing up Aniston?
Nope, does that answer your question. Better yet BALLS.
Right?!? Yeesh. Some people need to let it goooooooo
Tell her about Heidi Bivens.
And Matt Leblanc.
I think it’s a wonderful legacy to pass to your children. The world needs as many aware and responsible children we can raise.
Holy Botox face Lara Croft!
All that charity work and trying to help people, and that’s all you can find to say? Sad…
Oh come on with the scolding. This is a gossip site, and she is a movie star. Discussion of her plastic surgery is not out-of-bounds.
So sorry to have offended you. Perhaps you can furnish a list of acceptable subjects on which to comment oh wise one.
Thank you…I will start comprising my list of acceptable subjects and advise you, as soon as I am able!!!
She looks weird to me and very very very much like her brother.
Of course she does to you. rme
Aging is hard, even for strong women. Must be especially hard when you were known for your great beauty in your youth. Seeing so many movie stars with poor results from these treatments has persuaded me never to try them. If hers don’t look good, what hope is there for the hoi polloi?
I think she looks incredible! Don’t care how she’s doing it! And considering how beautiful she is on the inside, even if she did look Toxy, it would be irrelevant anyway.
Agree.
I saw video of her and her face is fluid moving.. forehead wrinkles. laugh lines.
Looking at a still pic and screaming botox.. NO.. She has amazing skin.. just the facts. And her hair is in a ponytail. Everyone’s face is pulled in a pony tail.
Wow…..sad.
She actually looks sweaty more than toxy. If you have ever been to that part of the world it is gorgeous, as well as hot and humid. If you look at the people pictures, it’s more “glistening” … not that it matters, I heard she got a boob job too! (that was sarcasm). 🙂
I think it is a wonderful thing to give her children a connection to the place they were born. She said that Maddox is involved in the MJP Foundation now. No different than what we see in Political families. He was one of the fortunate ones. He was adopted and given a wonderful life. The vast majority of children won’t ever have that. To want him to give back and remember those that are still there is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. She was in Cambodia with 4 of the children a couple of years ago doing the same thing. So they are all being shown that life is different for most people
I don’t see how anyone can find fault with that. It is how you change the world. Start with children.
I agree Lisa
It’s a nice idea, but who knows if the kids will actually be suited the roles? It’s like raising kids to take over a family business. You can do everything right, the kids can do everything right, and it can still be a terrible fit.
Still, they will know the basics by then and will have help of administrators. It will be a full time job only if they want to, and I like the fact that they are given responsibilities early on, and know that there are people depending on them. Not different than a family business, where children not only enjoy the perks.
I’m sure there are people who run the day to day operations. She does so many other things too. The charity isn’t s full time for ger and I’m expecting it won’t be for Maddox unless he wants it to be.
I agree…I think Maddox will be a spokesperson for the charity, and will be as involved or not, as he wishes. Plus, maybe Angelina and Maddox have already spoken about his future role in his charity and he is happy and proud that he will be more involved one day. I don’t find AJ and Brad to be the type of parents that, if Maddox turns 21 and decides he doesn’t want to that, that they would force him…
She said that Maddox would have the role she has. Obviously she is not running the day to day operations.
He is almost 14,it is possible he has said he wants to run the foundation when he is older.My uncle owns restaurants and his middle son starting talking about,”When I start running the business, I will…”, from the time he was 10.He runs the restaurants and loves it.His older brother has never being interested in the business.
I was never a big fan of AJ but I will say I admire her desire to have her children be connected to their home culture AND use it as a way to educate herself. Its wonderful because a lot of parents try to stamp out a child’s home culture instead of blending them together. So kudos AJ.
Plus I love her humanitarian efforts.
If they are not involved in their parents charities, they will be involved in some charity or humanitarian work. I would like to think that would satisfy BP and AJ.
Imagine if every rich child in the world was raised like that. Yes, the world wouldn’t be as rotten as it is. Or maybe I’m naive?
I just got into John Green’s tumblr and he has a very good point in one of the entries about how life is largely arbitrary, but in spite of that, we should still try to be good and useful people. Getting an adopted (or any child really) child involved with charity when they’re really been given a spectacular, privileged life, seems to be a good way to approach that.
I love that they’re going to have the children be involved in charities in their birth countries. Great way to give back and learn about their native heritage/culture.
+1
I love Angelina and her dedication to doing her part to better the world by helping those less fortunate than herself. And I think it’s wonderful to see her encouraging her children to do the same. It is my belief that we are all responsible for assisting those in need – whether it is another human or animal – whenever possible.
Well said, I completely agree. Every little act of kindness or charity can help change the world.
While I’m not a big fan of her as an actress, I’m always impressed by how much time she gives to others, and that she’s imparting that on her kids.
Man thank god there was an Angelina post like this today, i just came over from fuming about that silly Gisele Bundchen in a niqab post and reading this has defused my rage … ahhh much better, good to see that there are still aware, involved, non-asshole celebs who’ve got our attention 😉