Angelina Jolie, the renowned Oscar and Tony winner, received the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, where she expressed her deep concern for the state of the world today. Jolie stated that despite her efforts in advocating for basic human rights for all individuals, she feels disheartened by the worsening reality faced by so many. She even admitted feeling like a part of the failure of the system. However, despite these challenges, Jolie remains committed to making a difference by showcasing the resilience of humanity through her work.
Exploring War and Human Rights
Jolie’s filmography has often delved into the enduring impact of war and human rights violations. Her 2014 blockbuster, Unbroken, highlighted the story of Olympian Louis Zamperini, a WWII pilot who endured harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war. In the 2017 Netflix documentary, First They Killed My Father, Jolie shed light on the atrocities faced by Cambodian author Loung Ung under the Khmer Rouge regime. Jolie’s latest directorial venture, Without Blood, based on the Alessandro Baricco novel, follows a woman confronting her father’s murderer decades after he spared her life. The film, produced outside the Hollywood system, features a Mexican period backdrop and stars Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir.
The TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media recognizes individuals who bridge the gap between social impact and cinema, and Jolie has been a champion of this cause through her work. In her full speech at the Tribute awards, Jolie emphasized the importance of films that foster empathy and understanding among audiences. She highlighted the power of storytelling in shedding light on shared humanity and combating misinformation and divisions. Jolie called upon artists and audiences to support diverse perspectives in world cinema, as it offers a unique opportunity to learn from each other and promote unity.
As an artist, Jolie has been drawn to exploring the depths of human behavior in times of conflict and adversity. She believes that by portraying these stories on screen, we can hope to prevent such atrocities in the future. However, in the face of ongoing global challenges and threats to human rights, Jolie recognizes the limitations of art in effecting immediate change. Nevertheless, she remains steadfast in her commitment to being human and using her platform to amplify voices that may otherwise go unheard.
Angelina Jolie’s receipt of the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media underscores her dedication to using film as a tool for social change. Through her thought-provoking stories and impassioned advocacy, Jolie continues to inspire audiences worldwide to reflect on their shared humanity and work towards a more just and compassionate world.