Angelina Jolie Expresses Concerns About the US, Discusses New Film ‘Couture‘ at San Sebastián Festival
San Sebastián, Spain – Angelina Jolie voiced her disquiet about the current state of her country during a press conference Sunday at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, held to promote her latest film, ‘Couture.’
“I love my country, but I do not recognize him at this time,” Jolie stated, reflecting on a period she described as requiring careful consideration of one’s words due to the gravity of current events. She emphasized the importance of protecting personal freedoms and expressions, stating that division is “very dangerous.”
‘Couture,’ directed by Alice Winocour,centers on the intersecting lives of three women amidst the whirlwind of Paris Fashion Week: Maxime (Jolie),an american film director facing a cancer diagnosis; Ada (Anyer Anei),a young model from South Sudan; and Angèle (she Rumpf),a French makeup artist.
Jolie drew parallels between her character’s experience and her own personal journey with preventative health measures. She revealed she carries the same gene that led to the early deaths of her mother and grandmother, prompting her to undergo a prophylactic double mastectomy a decade ago. During the press conference,she wore a necklace belonging to her mother,stating she felt her presence throughout filming. “Women’s cancers affect how we feel like women, so it is indeed a very vital message to understand how this movie shows,” she explained.
The film’s exploration of Ada’s story resonated especially strongly, with Anei expressing her excitement that ‘Couture’ offers a unique viewpoint on the fashion world through the eyes of a Black woman. She described the challenges of transitioning from a war-torn country like Sudan to the overwhelming environment of high fashion, a theme central to her character’s arc.
Director Alice Winocour praised Jolie’s dedication to her roles and her willingness to embrace vulnerability, noting it was “much more difficult than making action scenes.” Winocour also highlighted the debut performance of Anyer Anei, whose personal history heavily influenced the character of Ada. She previously described Jolie as a “rebel,” a quality mirrored in the character of Maxime.
the press conference was attended by the film’s full cast, including Louis Garrel and Garance marillier.
Jolie’s appearance at the festival drew meaningful crowds, with hundreds braving the rain for over two hours prior to her arrival on the red carpet. The anticipation extended to the press area, where a queue of journalists and bloggers formed well before the scheduled start of the conference – an unprecedented occurrence for the festival.
