Angelina Jolie opened up with candor about her complex feelings toward America during the 2025 San Sebastián Film Festival, where she premiered her new film, Couture. The 50-year-old actress, director, and activist spoke thoughtfully about her experiences living in the United States and expressed concerns about the country’s current climate, revealing a deeply personal and conflicted perspective.
Expressing Love and Concern for Her Country
When asked what she feared most as an artist and American, Jolie paused and sighed before responding. She described her relationship with America as one of love mixed with unease, admitting that she no longer recognizes the country she once knew. Emphasizing her international life—surrounded by family and friends from around the world—Jolie stressed the importance of unity and caution during what she called “very, very heavy times.”
She stated,
“It is a very difficult question.”
She also shared,
“I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country,”
and added,
“I’ve always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life… My worldview is equal, united, and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous. These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together.”
— Angelina Jolie, Actress and Activist
Emotional Connection to Family and Advocacy
During the event, Jolie showed strong emotions when an audience member thanked her for advocating on behalf of Palestine and other voiceless people, connecting this activism to her new film’s themes. She became tearful when reflecting on her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, whose necklace Jolie’s character wears in the movie.
Jolie explained,
“It’s very hard to speak [about] my mother,”
and continued,
“[Maxine] would love my mother. I did wear my mother’s necklace. I also wore her ashes. I thought about her a lot. I think everybody in this room has sat in a hospital room. Maybe some of you have been through heavier things. In the film, I would think about these moments, and wish [my mother] had this community. I wish she were able to speak as openly as I’ve been and that people would respond as graciously as you have.”
— Angelina Jolie, Actress and Activist
Plot of Jolie’s Latest Film and Personal Significance
In Couture, Jolie portrays Maxine, an American filmmaker who arrives in Paris for Fashion Week, embarking on a journey of survival, challenge, and self-discovery. The character’s story intersects deeply with Jolie’s personal reflections, especially through the symbolic wearing of her mother’s necklace and ashes. Jolie indicated her mother’s wisdom, saying her mom
“would have told Maxine to live every day and focus on life,”
underscoring themes of resilience amid adversity.
Implications of Jolie’s Reflections on America and Art
Angelina Jolie’s candid remarks at the San Sebastián Film Festival highlight her complex relationship with her homeland, shaped by her global experiences and heightened by current social and political tensions. Her visible emotion underscores the personal costs of activism and artistic expression during difficult times, while her film Couture serves as a vessel for exploring these themes. Going forward, Jolie’s voice may continue to influence conversations about identity, freedom, and resilience both within and beyond America’s borders.
