Angelina Jolie is the main inspiration for the upcoming drama film Sewingwith the project director revealing that the script was written specifically with the Oscar winner in mind.
The film, which casts Jolie as a low-budget horror director named Maxine balancing a high-profile fashion commission, a messy divorce and a devastating breast cancer diagnosis, strongly reflects the actress’ real-life personal and health journey.
Director Alice Winocour explained that she needed someone special with a real connection to the narrative, noting that Jolie has a lot in common with the character since she is also a director and has gone through her own widely publicized life struggles.
Although Jolie herself was never diagnosed with cancer, the film’s plot, taken directly from Maxine’s life, reflects Jolie’s own preventative health decisions.
The Hollywood star revealed in a New York Times op-ed that she underwent a preventative double mastectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
The disease hit his family hard, killing both his mother, aged 56, and his grandmother.
Winocour was drawn to this shared history, stating that she particularly liked Jolie’s raw, punk spirit and energy, which was exactly what she envisioned for the film.
Speaking about this punk identity alongside Winocour, Jolie admitted that she actually considers herself more punk now than in her youth.
She described this energy as a counter-movement to modern societal pressures, explaining that choosing to protect one’s privacy and avoiding getting caught up in all the current movements feels like a form of silent rebellion when the world is in its current state.
The actress also alluded to her own private life and her high-profile divorce from Brad Pitt, revealing that she feels like her fighting spirit is finally coming back after being knocked down for a bit.
She thanked her children, who are now almost all 18, for encouraging her revival and wanting to see her return to traveling and discovering the world.
Winocour, who initially titled the project Ride or dieexplained that the film explores female solidarity, the spirit of survival and the fragile moments shared between strangers who bear scars hidden behind perfect public images.
The public will be able to see the deeply personal project when Sewing hits theaters on June 26.
