'It's tricky': Angelina Jolie admits she's struggling to direct herself and Brad in new film... and reveals her plan to quit acting

By Chelsea White for MailOnline

Published: 14:20 EST, 19 November 2014 | Updated: 02:46 EST, 20 November 2014

Starring and directing in a film is one of the biggest challenges for any Hollywood star, but throw your significant other into the mix and things become almost impossible.

Just ask Angelia Jolie, who has candidly admitted that she is struggling to balance not just her own two positions in film By The Sea, but also having the task of directing her husband Brad Pitt.

The 39-year-old actress - and now accomplished director - told DuJour the process, while she expected to be hard, was tougher than she had bargained for.

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No hiding: Angelia Jolie, who has candidly admitted in DuJour Magazine that she is struggling to balance not just her own two positions in film By The Sea, but also having the task of directing her husband Brad Pitt

No hiding: Angelia Jolie, who has candidly admitted in DuJour Magazine that she is struggling to balance not just her own two positions in film By The Sea, but also having the task of directing her husband Brad Pitt

Sitting down with the magazine in Malta she said: 'The tricky thing is directing myself and directing Brad. It’s hard, dramatic material, and we’re balancing.'

The film is set in the 1970s and follows a married couple and their complicated marriage as they travel around France.

Having just married herself - in August - the Oscar winner is trying to draw on the good parts of marriage to get her through the tough filming process she said.

Stunning: The 39-year-old also spoke about her film Unbroken's leading man Jack O'Connell, who joined her for the magazine shoot

Stunning: The 39-year-old also spoke about her film Unbroken's leading man Jack O'Connell, who joined her for the magazine shoot

'It’s a heavy film, and it’s not easy for us.

'But even as you struggle through it, you’re in the trenches together and you don’t expect it to be easy. We’re challenging each other and that’s a really good thing.'

The pair is, of course, no strangers to working together having met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005.

Cover stars: The director and her star actor featured on the cover of the winter edition 

Cover stars: The director and her star actor featured on the cover of the winter edition 

Controversially, they pair fell in love during filming despite Brad being married to Jennifer Aniston. 

But Brad is not the only family member to be under Angelina's control in this new film.

The actress also revealed the couple’s 13-year-old son, Maddox, is following in their Hollywood footsteps and working on the film as a production assistant.

Angelina confessed: 'It’s so weird.'

Directing is fast becoming the star's passion - her first foray into life behind the camera was the Land of Blood and Honey in 2011 - so much so that Angelina plans to give up acting if she can.

The Oscar winner told the magazine it was 'absolutely' her plan to be a director full time.

'I’ve never been comfortable as an actor; I’ve never loved being in front of the camera. I didn’t ever think I could direct, but I hope I’m able to have a career at it because I’m much happier.'

Her sophomore directorial venture is Unbroken, which tells the story of Olympian and Prisoner of War, Louis Zamperini.

Originally sold to Universal in 1957, it was over sixty years in development before Angelina stepped up to make the inspiring story come to life.

Filmed in Australia, British actor Jack O’Connell - who starred on the cover of Du Jour with Angelina - plays the airman.

Not easy: The Oscar winner stars and directs film By The Sea - pictured with Brad earlier this month - which is a balancing act, 'The tricky thing is directing myself and directing Brad. It’s hard, dramatic material, and we’re balancing'

Not easy: The Oscar winner stars and directs film By The Sea - pictured with Brad earlier this month - which is a balancing act, 'The tricky thing is directing myself and directing Brad. It’s hard, dramatic material, and we’re balancing'

For Angelina the project has consumed her: 'I fought for it for months and it became less about wanting to do a film and more that I wanted to be close to be somebody like Louie. I felt I needed to go on that journey, that it would make me a better person if I could. 

'I was begging not only to be the director - I was begging to have the opportunity to spend two years of my life focused on Louie Zamperini.'

While she found her Louie in Jack, tragically the real Louie passed away in July aged 97.

New role: Directing is fast becoming the star's passion so much so that Angelina, seen directing Unbroken, plans to give up acting if she can

New role: Directing is fast becoming the star's passion so much so that Angelina, seen directing Unbroken, plans to give up acting if she can

The real star: Unbroken is about war hero and Olympian Louie Zamperini, pictured October 2013, who tragically passed away in July before the film was relased

The real star: Unbroken is about war hero and Olympian Louie Zamperini, pictured October 2013, who tragically passed away in July before the film was relased

The actress was able to show the war hero a rough cut of the film prior to his passing.

She said: 'The most overwhelming part of making the film, for me, was bringing it to Louie in the hospital and watching him watch his life. He gave us so much and he inspired us so much, but as sad as I am about losing him, I’m so grateful to have known him.'

The film also taught her something about her own understanding of the world, Angelina revealed. 

When a military adviser stopped her from calling off a scene that saw the actors and extras - all of whom had been starving themselves to look like prisoners - standing for hours in the hot sun, the importance of being challenged was shown to her.

'He made everybody come to attention and then made them start doing push-ups. I thought, ''Oh no'', but they did the push-ups and were tested and pressed and had purpose, and 10 minutes later they were all smiling.

'I learned something about men that day. I learned that a challenge is good for everyone, so I was never again shy to push, knowing that we had a real purpose.'

Unbroken is in theatres Christmas Day, January 16 in the UK and January 15 in Australia where it was filmed. 

Out soon: Unbroken is in theatres Christmas Day, January 16 in the UK and January 15 in Australia where it was filmed

Out soon: Unbroken is in theatres Christmas Day, January 16 in the UK and January 15 in Australia where it was filmed

 

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