Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie confronted one of her deepest fears on screen for the French film "Couture" — being diagnosed with cancer. Based on the personal experiences of writer and director Alice Winocour, Jolie portrays fictional American filmmaker Maxine Walker, who discovers she has breast cancer while producing a film to accompany a runway show for Paris Fashion Week.
Personal Connection to the Story
Jolie's mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of breast cancer at age 56. In 2013, Jolie underwent a double mastectomy after discovering she carried the same genetic mutation as her mother. "I thought often of my mother and how much I think this film would have been wonderful for her when she was going through this," Jolie told Reuters.
But it wasn't just about her mother; Jolie also got involved to bring Walker's experience to the world. "You sit in that chair, and whether it's cancer or anything, whether you're male or female, we've all had that moment. We've all had that moment where we've gotten some news that has shifted our lives," the "Maria" actor said.
Vulnerable Filming Experience
Jolie had to go through a scene where operation lines were placed on her chest by an oncologist. "It felt a strange moment to have Hollywood in my hospital room," Jolie said. "Here I am, you know, in my gown, getting my needles, doing all the stuff that I do, but now we are sharing it. And so, it felt very vulnerable," she added.
Cast and Characters
Alongside Jolie, the cast of "Couture" includes Ada, played by Anyier Anei, who is a model struggling with the fashion industry putting her on a pedestal, and make-up artist Angele, played by Ella Rumpf, who is trying to break out of the fashion scene by becoming a writer.
Hope for Audience Connection
Jolie hopes that each character's story will resonate with viewers. "I think what we found in doing this, and hopefully what the audience will feel, is that we're connected," the 51-year-old said. "We're connected as human beings, and we all go through something... And it's very necessary to pull us all through being human," Jolie added.
