Let’s talk about Angelina Jolie. The 42-year-old actress and humanitarian recently found herself in the middle of a firestorm after some controversial comments emerged about her casting process for her latest Netflix movie, First They Killed My Father. The film, based on Loung Ung’s heart-wrenching memoir, dives deep into Cambodia’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime. Now, Angelina is speaking up to clear the air after backlash over an unusual audition technique. Here’s what went down.
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What Happened During the Casting?
In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Angelina opened up about the process of casting children for the film. She explained that the casting team designed an exercise inspired by a real-life experience from Loung Ung’s childhood. During auditions, potential child actors—many from local orphanages, circuses, and schools in Cambodia—were presented with a game involving money placed on a table. The kids were asked to think carefully about why they might need the money before deciding whether or not to take it.
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Angelina with the film’s star Srey Moch. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
According to Angelina, this wasn’t just a random game—it was rooted in authenticity. If a child decided to take the money, one of the casting directors would “catch” them, prompting the child to come up with a creative lie about why they had taken it. This imaginative exercise was intended to reveal the depth of emotion and creativity in the young actors.
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Why the Backlash?
Days after the Vanity Fair article hit the stands, Angelina began receiving criticism from people who misunderstood the intent behind the exercise. Many interpreted it as exploitative, suggesting that children were being manipulated or traumatized during auditions. Critics questioned whether the process was ethical, especially given the sensitive nature of the film’s subject matter.
But here’s the thing: Angelina wasn’t just throwing kids into the deep end without support. On July 29, she spoke to The Huffington Post to clarify the situation. She emphasized that every precaution was taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved. Parents, guardians, NGOs specializing in child welfare, and medical professionals were present at all times to provide emotional and physical support.
Angelina Sets the Record Straight
“I’m upset that a pretend exercise in improvisation, inspired by an actual scene in the film, has been misrepresented as a real scenario,” Angelina said. She stressed that the exercise was fictional and designed to evoke authentic performances, not to harm or exploit the participants. “The suggestion that real money was taken from a child during an audition is false and deeply upsetting,” she added.
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Angelina went on to explain that the purpose of the film is to shed light on the devastating impact of war on children and advocate for their protection. “This isn’t about creating controversy—it’s about telling a story that needs to be told,” she emphasized. First They Killed My Father is set to premiere on Netflix later this year, and Angelina hopes it will spark meaningful conversations about the resilience and strength of those who survive unimaginable hardships.
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