Angelina Jolie's film exploited my rape agony, says Ethiopian girl who 'wasn't told' Hollywood star was using her story
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 03:41
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie's acclaimed film about the kidnap and rape of a 14-year-old girl in Ethiopia has helped burnish her image as a human rights campaigner.But the Hollywood star is at the centre of controversy after the makers of Difret were accused of exploiting the real-life victim at the heart of its story.Aberash Bekele, 32, is angry at the filmmakers for using her story without her knowledge or consent, and failing, initially, to pay her compensation.Miss Bekele was abducted so she could be pushed into a forced marriage. She escaped but was put on trial for killing one of her abductors. While she was released by the courts, local elders forced her into exile away from her home and family.Miss Jolie, who helped produce the film, spoke about how it will 'make a change' in the world and it was screened last year at her Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, hosted in London, co-chaired by then Foreign Secretary William Hague.But Miss Bekele believes the film, which has won awards around the world, could put her and her family in danger of reprisals. She was never consulted by the film-makers and did not give them permission to lay her traumas bare on screen.With the character based on Miss Bekele renamed Hirut and with the film focusing on her lawyer, the Ethiopian directors originally refused to acknowledge it was about her.Miss Bekele, now a mother of one, was the focus of a 1999 BBC documentary Schoolgirl Killer, made by journalist Charlotte Metcalf.
Miss Metcalf, who saw Miss Bekele earlier this year, said: 'Aberash feels doubly abducted not to have had the story acknowledged as hers. It's an absolute outrage that they should pretend it could have been anyone's story and she's still fighting that.'Today, she could be bathing in the glow of international admiration for her extraordinary courage and resilience. Instead she is invisible, her story taken.'Last year, Miss Bekele won an injunction banning the film from being shown in Ethiopia.She obtained it on the night of the film's premiere in the country, just after the producers had screened a message from Miss Jolie in which she admitted it was based on the 'untold story of Aberash Bekele'.While an out-of-court settlement eventually led to Miss Bekele being paid a small amount of money, she still lives in poverty and feels she has been exploited by the film.She told an Ethiopian newspaper: 'My life is on the edge [financially] while they are planning to premiere my story in a glamorous way. That is not right.'Miss Jolie, 39, a mother of six who is married to fellow star Brad Pitt, 51, has become increasingly known for her humanitarian work. The Oscar-winning actress is a special envoy for the United Nations high commissioner for refugees and was awarded an honorary damehood by the Queen for her efforts.Last year she spoke excitedly about Difret getting a wider release, saying: 'I cried for the first 20 minutes and then I smiled for the rest of it thinking I can't wait for the world to see it because it will make a change'.Her representatives did not respond to requests for a comment yesterday.
 |
Calm after the storm: Angelina Jolie and eldest child Maddox, 13, depart JFK Airport after powerful United Nations speech on Syrian refugee crisis
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 26 April 2015 08:57
- Written by Daily Mail
Angelina Jolie let her feelings be known about the plight of Syrian refugees at the United Nations Security Council Meeting on Friday.A day later, the 39-year-old actress was back in traveling mode with her eldest child Maddox as they were spotted together catching a flight in New York City.Angelina downplayed her presence in a simple all-black ensemble as they arrived at JFK International Airport. The Maleficent star wore a black jacket over a black blouse along with black skinny jeans and black shoes.Angelina had her black hair pulled back into a ponytail and also donned black sunglasses.Maddox, 13, kept it casual wearing a black T-shirt of the deathcore band Whitechapel along with tan trousers and black sneakers.The eldest of Angelina's six children also wore a black cap and had his earplugs at the ready.Angelina pleaded with world powers on Friday to help the millions of Syrian refugees and sharply criticised the U.N. Security Council for being paralyzed by its division over Syria's four-year conflict.Jolie briefed the council as special envoy for the UN on refugee issues. 'We cannot look at Syria, and the evil that has arisen from the ashes of indecision, and think this is not the lowest point in the world's inability to protect and defend the innocent,' she told the UN.Angelina adopted Maddox in 2002 from an orphanage in Cambodia.
She and husband Brad Pitt, 51, have six children including Maddox; 11-year-old Pax; 10-year-old Zahara; Shiloh, eight; and six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Maddox apparently has become a hardcore music fan as he's previously worn T-shirts of the Misfits punk bank and the heavy metal band Slipknot. Brad earlier this month was filming his new movie The Big Short in New Orleans.He is starring in the film alongside Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell.The film is an adaptation of the Michael Lewis book The Big Short: Inside The Doomsday Machine about the key players in the build-up of the housing and credit bubble that led to the 2008 global financial crisis.Brad also is a producer of the film after previously co-producing the 2011 sports biopic Moneyball based on a 2003 book written by Lewis.Angelina wrote, directed and co-stars in the upcoming movie By The Sea that also stars husband Brad.The romantic drama is due out later this year.
 |
Angelina Jolie blasts world powers on Syria's refugee crisis
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 25 April 2015 10:08
- Written by CBS News
Jolie brief the council as special envoy for the U.N. on refugee issues.Syria's ambassador said simply of her presence, "She's beautiful."Nearly four million Syrians have fled the conflict into neighboring countries, which warn they are dangerously overstretched."We cannot look at Syria, and the evil that has arisen from the ashes of indecision, and think this is not the lowest point in the world's inability to protect and defend the innocent," Jolie said."We are standing by in Syria," she said, adding that the council's powers lie unused because its members cannot agree on how to address the conflict.Jolie, who said she has made 11 visits to Syrian refugees in the region since the crisis began in 2011, called strongly for the political will to act.Russia, a top Syria ally and backed by China, has vetoed multiple council resolutions on Syria, including an effort last year to refer the situation there to the International Criminal Court.Jolie said the council must now "work as one," and she said she would like to see the foreign minister of each of the 15 council members come to the table to negotiate a political solution.She also urged council members to visit Syrian refugees and see the crisis for themselves.In addition, Jolie spoke briefly about the rising migrant crisis on the Mediterranean, where more than 1,300 migrants fleeing Syria and other places have drowned at sea over the past three weeks."It is sickening to see thousands of refugees drowning on the doorstep of the world's wealthiest continent," she said. "No one risks the lives of their children in this way except out of utter desperation."In January, Jolie appealed for urgent funding to assist millions of displaced Iraqis and Syrians living in dire conditions in northern Iraq.More than 3.8 million Syrians have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, according to the UNHCR, while another 7.6 million Syrians are displaced inside the country. At least 1.8 million Iraqis were also displaced last year by violence triggered by the Sunni militant onslaught.
 |
Taylor Swift's Getting Cancer Coping Advice From Angelina Jolie
- Details
- Published on Friday, 24 April 2015 06:37
- Written by Cambio
We all knew Taylor Swift handled her mother's horrible cancer news like a champ, but we were quite curious to know who she reached out to for support in her inner circle. Was it her boo Calvin Harris? BFF Karlie Kloss?There are reports that Tay actually reached out to Angelina Jolie after finding out about her mother's diagnosis. Angie was actually the one who told Tay to speak out to everyone about her mother's issue."Taylor is a longtime fan of Angie's," an insider told the National Enquirer. "She admires how much awareness Angie has raised about cancer, thanks to being candid about her own health struggles."Angelina not only had to deal with her own cancer issues, but also lost her mother to ovarian cancer a few years ago. Taylor has been inspired by her decision to go public with her double mastectomy and other preventative measures against cancer.As for how the know each other? "Taylor got Angie's number through mutual contacts," the source added. "She told Taylor that by going public she could possibly save many lives...Angie pushed Taylor to encourage her fans to be diligent about proactive health care."Are you surprised these two, strong ladies are supportive pals? We love seeing them work together to help others out, don't you?
 |
Need a holiday? Angelina Jolie looks a little stressed as she takes the children to visit Brad Pitt on set
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 21 April 2015 04:10
- Written by Daily Mail
Keeping an eye on your children can be a tough job any day of the week - but when you have six, staying relaxed is an almost impossible task.Angelina Jolie certainly seemed to be feeling the pressure as she took her children to visit their faith on set in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Monday.The 39-year-old looked a little stressed on the set of Brad Pitt's new film The Big Shot as she took a phone call. Despite the older children - Maddox ,13, Pax, 11, and Zahara, 10 - not appearing to be with her on this trip, juggling her younger three and her phone call appeared to be stressing the star out.While Shiloh, 8, stayed close, her six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne were tearing around on set somewhere. Angelina looked very serious as spoke on her phone furrowing her brow and frowning while pacing back and forth on the back lot.However, while she did not appear to be in a good mood, she did look good.For her set visit, the Tomb Raider star looked casual but still chic in a pair of black jeans with a nude colour tank and a black cardigan.The actress accessorised her look with a pair of ballet flats, a big black handbag and aviator sunglasses.Despite starting the day feeling the pressure a bit, fast forward a few hours and Angelina was much happier.After watching her husband do his thing on the set of the financial crisis-based film, Angie made a quick change and got the children together to fly out of New Orleans.Besides the fact she was wearing a different outfit - consisting of a black top and giant scarf - the star could not look more different.The 39-year-old beamed as she headed to the private jet, which was set to whisk her, her husband and their children away for a little mini break.The smiling star was flanked by her twins with Brad following behind.The actress' set visit comes after reports that she and Brad wanted to expand their already large family.A business associate of the couple told the UK's The Express that Angelina and Brad want to adopt a little Syrian girl.'She has been moved to tears on several occasions over the plight of youngsters orphaned in the Syrian conflict,' the source told The Express.'Now she has sorted out her health issues, she and Brad believe the time is right to adopt another orphan from there, most likely a daughter.'However, before Brangelina fans get too excited, Brad's rep has denied the couple plan to adopt again.
 |
Share
