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Angelina Jolie is opening up about how her career and family life have intersected in recently years during a press tour for her upcoming film Those Who Wish Me Dead. Specifically, Jolie is explaining how a “change in [her] family situation” – presumably her divorce from Brad Pitt – shifted her priorities when it came to choosing work projects. With her family life in mind, Jolie has taken more acting than directing roles recently.
Jolie told Entertainment Tonight, "I love directing, but I had a change in my family situation that's not made it possible for me to direct for a few years."
"I needed to just do shorter jobs and be home more," she explained, "So I kind of went back to doing a few acting jobs. That's really the truth of it."
Jolie also opened up about how her work experiences – whether she's behind or in front of the camera – have impacted each other.
"In very technical terms, I'm more aware of what the director needs, and what other challenges they're facing, and how many different pieces are moving," she explained.
"Maybe when you're younger and you're having a huge day where you have to be cold and wet and emotional and crying, you're thinking about those things," Jolie continued.
However, now that she has more experience, she's able to see things differently.
"Now you've directed and you're older, and you realize that while you are going to be freezing and crying, there's also pyrotechnics going on, or multiple other situations. It pulls you out of yourself," Jolie explained how she approaches acting now.
Jolie also plays a protective role on set for her upcoming film, especially when it comes to her 14-year-old co-star Finn Little. "She sort of walked me through it and made sure I was safe," he said. "She went out of her way to make me feel really accepted."
Watch the trailer for their movie here:
