At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Angelina Jolie opened up about a poignant memory of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, during a heartfelt conversation while receiving the esteemed Maltin Modern Master Award, presented by filmmaker Ava DuVernay.
In a dialogue with critic Leonard Maltin, Jolie recounted how Bertrand, who became a mother at a young age, watched the Oscars from their apartment. “She was divorced from a very famous man, home with her babies, watching him win an Oscar with the other woman,” she shared, highlighting the emotional weight of that night in their family history.
Reflecting on her mother’s sacrifices, Jolie said, “I remember thinking that she was there for me and my brother, and that was the choice she made.” The memory of how Bertrand must have felt during that moment has stayed with Jolie over the years.
Jolie also reminisced about her own Oscar win in 2000 for Best Supporting Actress in Girl, Interrupted. The moment she stepped off the stage to call her mother was particularly special. “To get off that stage, call her, and say, ‘It’s yours’—giving it to her was one of the best moments of my life,” she recalled, emphasizing the deep connection they shared.
She noted the immense support Bertrand provided for her creative aspirations, despite having sacrificed her own dreams. “My mother had to give up her dreams of a creative life, but she embraced that side of mine,” Jolie explained. She recalled how her mother would write letters to her characters, such as “Dear Gia” and “Dear Lara Croft,” imagining what words of encouragement she might offer today.
The event recognized Jolie not only for her acting but also for her enduring influence on the film industry. Currently, she stars as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the Netflix film Maria, continuing to honor her mother’s legacy in her own artistic journey.
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