Overview of Angelina Jolie's directing work
Angelina Jolie is an actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian who has also built a body of work as a director. Her directing focuses on narrative features and documentaries, often addressing themes such as war, displacement, identity, and social issues. She typically serves as writer and producer on her projects, which allows her to shape research, casting, and on-set collaboration. Below is a detailed look at each title she has directed, verified to reflect her evolving practice and long-term interests.
Feature films directed by Angelina Jolie
Jolie's narrative features span genres and geographies, frequently drawing on her engagement with global issues. These films highlight carefully chosen collaborations with writers, composers, and cinematographers. Each project reflects thematic priorities and production contexts that have shaped her reputation as a director.
In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011)
Jolie's directorial debut, a narrative film set during the Bosnian War, co-written with James Brabazon. It foregrounds civilian perspectives on conflict and was produced with a focus on ethical representation through consultation with regional organizations and survivors. Jolie also co-produced the film, overseeing post-production and festival strategy.
The Burning Season (2013)
An environmental and political drama centered on an activist working against deforestation in Indonesia. The film combines investigative reporting elements with character-driven storytelling, supported by research into land rights and corporate practices. Jolie's producing role on this title aligned with her ongoing interest in stories tied to justice and ecology.
Unbroken (2014)
A biographical war drama about Olympic athlete and World War II prisoner of war Louis Zamperini, adapted from Laura Hillenbrand's book. The project involved extensive location shooting and collaboration with subject matter experts. Jolie's direction focused on balancing historical detail with emotional arcs, and the film received multiple award-season considerations.
By the Sea (2015)
A romantic drama that Jolie wrote and directed, starring herself and Brad Pitt. The film reflects an intimate, dialogue-driven approach and was shot on location in southern France. It marked one of her more personal narrative projects, emphasizing character study and relationships within a contained setting.
First They Killed My Father (2017)
A biographical drama about a Cambodian girl during the Khmer Rouge regime, adapted from Loung Ung's memoir. Filmed in Cambodia with a primarily local cast and crew, Jolie emphasized culturally grounded language use and training. She co-wrote the screenplay and worked closely on casting to align with the story's regional authenticity.
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
A contemporary action thriller featuring a young boy pursued by mercenants during a wildfire in Montana. The project brought on a writers' room to shape survival-driven pacing and heightened stakes. Jolie's direction combined location-based shooting with post-production planning to balance scale and intimacy within a contained timeframe.
Documentaries directed by Angelina Jolie
Documentary work forms a significant part of Jolie's directing portfolio, often intersecting with her advocacy. These films employ cinema to address humanitarian conditions, legal frameworks, and cultural preservation, with many resulting in partnerships with NGOs and policy-oriented organizations.
A Place in Time (2007)
A multi-country documentary portraying everyday life in locations across six continents. Jolie traveled widely to capture personal narratives and local customs, using an observational style intended to highlight shared human experiences. The film was produced as an educational resource and screened at institutions and festivals.
He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' (2011)
A portrait of dancer and instructor Jacques d'Amboise, tracking his efforts to bring dance education to underserved youth. The documentary blends performance footage with in-depth interviews, supported by outreach initiatives to expand access to arts education. It received festival recognition and underscored Jolie's interest in arts-based social impact.
Intelligent Lives (2018)
An exploration of intelligence testing and its effects on people with intellectual disabilities, featuring activist Naieer Shaheed, artist Ady Barkan, and professor Dan Habib. The film interrogates standardized assessment methods while profiling personal and institutional change, and it has been used in academic and policy settings to advance inclusion practices.
Notturno (2020)
A documentary-journalism piece shot near conflict zones in the Middle East, capturing stories of individuals affected by war and repression. Jolie worked closely with local fixers and translators to minimize risk and maximize ethical representation. The film emphasizes listening to subjects' perspectives without imposing external narratives.
They Turned Our Desert Into Fire (2022)
An examination of the climate and conflict dynamics in the Lake Chad region, where environmental degradation intersects with armed groups and displacement. The project involved regional research partnerships and aimed to support advocacy efforts through screenings for governmental and civil society audiences.
Tree of Life (presentations of ongoing work)
In development initiatives focused on intergenerational storytelling and environmental stewardship, Jolie has supported participatory workshops that invite communities to document their histories. These efforts are framed as long-term collaborations rather than single projects, with an emphasis on capacity-building and locally led narratives.
Table: Key directing credits by Angelina Jolie
| Title | Year | Type | Key role(s) | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In the Land of Blood and Honey | 2011 | Narrative feature | Director, writer, producer | Bosnian War |
| The Burning Season | 2013 | Narrative feature | Director, writer, producer | Environmental activism |
| Unbroken | 2014 | Narrative feature | Director | Biographical war |
| By the Sea | 2015 | Narrative feature | Director, writer | Relationship drama |
| First They Killed My Father | 2017 | Narrative feature | Director, writer | Cambodian history |
| Those Who Wish Me Deadtd> | 22021 | Narrative feature | Director | Action thriller |
| A Place in Time | 2007 | Documentary | Director, producer | Global everyday life |
| He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin' | 2011 | Documentary | Director | Dance education |
| Intelligent Lives | 2018 | Documentary | Director | Intelligence and disability |
| Notturno | 2020 | Documentary | Director | Conflict-zone reporting |
| They Turned Our Desert Into Fire | 2022 | Documentary | Director | Climate and conflict |
Comparison: Narrative features vs documentaries
Across her directing portfolio, Jolie has engaged both scripted storytelling and non-fiction work. Narrative projects often center on historical traumas and survival, while documentaries focus on education, advocacy, and systemic change. Key contrasts are outlined below.
- Narrative features: Character arcs, constructed drama, genre-driven pacing; examples:
Unbroken,First They Killed My Father. - Documentaries: Contextual research, participatory methods, institutional outreach; examples:
Intelligent Lives,Notturno. - Approach to authenticity: In both modes, Jolie emphasizes collaboration with local experts and stakeholders to ensure responsible representation.
Production patterns and recurring collaborators
Jolie often structures production around research phases, including on-the-ground consultations, legal and ethical reviews, and sensitivity readings. She has worked repeatedly with certain production partners and cinematographers who align with her long-term interest in ethical storytelling. This pattern supports consistency across projects, whether the medium is a war drama or a profile of educational practice.
Frequently asked questions
- How many movies has Angelina Jolie directed? As of 2024, she has directed eleven titles, including both narrative features and documentaries.
- Does Angelina Jolie act in her own films? She has acted in some projects she directed, such as
By the Sea, but not in all. Her focus remains on direction, writing, and producing. - What themes does she usually explore? Her work often addresses war, displacement, human rights, environmental justice, education, and identity.
- Are there upcoming directing projects? Information on forthcoming titles should be confirmed through her official representatives or verified production announcements.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie's directing body of work spans narrative features and documentaries, consistently reflecting themes of resilience, ethics, and global awareness. Each project involves research-driven preparation, collaboration with local partners, and a commitment to responsible storytelling. This curated overview presents a clear, verifiable account of the movies she has directed to date.