Preparing for her directorial debut, Angelina Jolie has received some great advice from pal Clint Eastwood, who directed her in 'Changeling.'
Angelina will be switching roles as a first time film director for her upcoming project set in Bosnia about a couple who fall in love on the eve of the war. The epic undertaking for Jolie will prove a challenge as she grapples with the full on decision making for her entire project at the helm in the director's seat. Other stars to have done similar feats and succeeded include George Clooney, who won critical acclaim for his film direction on 'Good Night and Good Luck.'
Jolie also wrote the script for her Bosnian love story, and the actors for the movie will be cast locally. Recently, it was announced that Zana Marjanovic, a well known Bosnian actress would reprise the lead role.
The experience of Jolie's humanitarian work for the UNHCR as Goodwill Ambassador has given her an exceptional understanding of international affairs and conflicts that people have faced in her travels. In 2009, Jolie went to Iraq among other countries facing the aftermath of war, and appealed to the international community to help refugees and orphaned children. Angelina also twice visited Bosnia this year to scout locations for her film, which is highly anticipated, and will delve into the human dilemma of love and conflict.
Clint Eastwood's timely advice is also a reminder of how the challenge for a film director is not necessarily just creating the vision of the film from script to screen. Responding to a question in a discussion at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month about Angelina's directorial debut, Eastwood said:
"My advice for her is to get more sleep than the actors and to have good management, know what you want and know what you are looking for and go after it,"
The film shoot will take place in both Bosnia and Hungary, tentatively towards the end of 2010.