Friends in high places: Angelina Jolie towers over Cambodian PM as she begins shooting Netflix Khmer Rouge movie with son Maddox who she adopted from war-torn country 13 years ago

By Kate Thomas for MailOnline

Published: 07:41 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 14:39 EST, 17 September 2015

She is a Hollywood giant with a glittering film career that has made her not only the most sought-after actress in the world but also a UN ambassador.

And today Angelina Jolie towered over Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as the pair met to discuss the star's latest project in which she directs a film about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.

The UN Special Envoy, 40, wore nude stiletto heels and little make-up as she met dignitaries at the Peace Palace in the capital Phnom Penh today.

Beaming with delight the actress was pictured shaking hands with the premier - who was noticeably shorter than her - in front of the world's media.

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Hollywood giant: Angelina Jolie was greeted by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday morning

Hollywood giant: Angelina Jolie was greeted by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday morning

The mother-of-six is adapting First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, a harrowing memoir by Cambodian human rights activist Loung Ung, for Netflix.

Today she was simply clad in a white blouse and smart black trousers as she was ushered in to greet the Prime Minister.

Taking a seat on a gilded gold armchair, the UN Special Envoy was assisted by a translator as she explained her project, which begins shooting in November. 

The actress has tried her hand at directing before in 2011 with Bosnian war drama In The Land of Blood and Honey and when she tackled the Louis Zamperini biopic Unbroken last year.

In her latest work, Cambodia's devastating 1970s holocaust under the communist Khmer Rouge which is blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people, will be seen through the eyes of a war-scarred child.

The actress has been fascinated with the country ever since she filmed 2001 hit action movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider at Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat temple complex.

In 2002 she adopted her son Maddox, then aged just seven months, from an orphanage in western Cambodia. 

Ushered in: The 40-year-old actress and humanitarian was met by Cambodian politicians

Ushered in: The 40-year-old actress and humanitarian was met by Cambodian politicians

Handshake: Hun Sen and Angelina enjoyed a brief handshake before they began discussing her upcoming project about the Khmer Rouge regime

Handshake: Hun Sen and Angelina enjoyed a brief handshake before they began discussing her upcoming project about the Khmer Rouge regime

On location: The mother-of-six has travelled to the country numerous times for research in the run up to filming, which begins in November 

On location: The mother-of-six has travelled to the country numerous times for research in the run up to filming, which begins in November 

In 2005, the Maleficent star was granted Cambodian citizenship by royal decree in recognition of her environmental work in the Southeast Asian nation. 

She has set up the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which focuses on poverty and environmental programs, and recently revealed Maddox, now 14, would be taking over her duties when he's old enough.

Angelina - who also raises children Pax, 11, Zahara, ten, Shiloh, nine, and seven-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with her husband Brad Pitt - has also said that Maddox will be heavily involved in her new film about the Asian nation's dark history.

Political focus: The film will focus on the 1970s holocaust under the communist Khmer Rouge, which is blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people

Political focus: The film will focus on the 1970s holocaust under the communist Khmer Rouge, which is blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people

Passion project: The film, which will be available on Netflix, will be seen through the eyes of a war-scarred child

Passion project: The film, which will be available on Netflix, will be seen through the eyes of a war-scarred child

At home: Angelina was granted Cambodian citizenship by royal decree in recognition of her environmental work in the Southeast Asian nation in 2005 

At home: Angelina was granted Cambodian citizenship by royal decree in recognition of her environmental work in the Southeast Asian nation in 2005 

Fascinated: Angelina first became interested in Cambodia when she filmed 2001 hit action movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider at the famous Angkor Wat temple complex

Fascinated: Angelina first became interested in Cambodia when she filmed 2001 hit action movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider at the famous Angkor Wat temple complex

Family matters: The following year, she adopted her son Maddox, then aged just seven months, from an orphanage in western Cambodia

Family matters: The following year, she adopted her son Maddox, then aged just seven months, from an orphanage in western Cambodia

And the Maleficent actress hopes working on the film will give Maddox a greater understanding of his identity as he enters his teenage years 

'As Maddox and I prepare the film we will be side by side learning about his country,' Jolie explained earlier this year.

'He is 14 and this is a very important time for him to understand who he is. He is my son but he is also a son of Cambodia.

'This is the time for our family to understand all that that means to him and to us.'

The devoted humanitarian has travelled to Cambodia on numerous occasions to do research for the film, which will begin filming on location in two months' time.

'My desire to tell this story in the most truthful and accurate way possible will be my tribute to the strength and dignity of all Cambodian people,' she said.

Hands-on role: The A-list star recently revealed Maddox, now 14, will be heavily involved in her new film about the Asian nation's dark history

Hands-on role: The A-list star recently revealed Maddox, now 14, will be heavily involved in her new film about the Asian nation's dark history

Committed filmaker: Angelina has pledged to tell the story in the most truthful and accurate way possible

Committed filmaker: Angelina has pledged to tell the story in the most truthful and accurate way possible

Mother and son: Angelina and Maddox in 2003 shortly after she adopted the boy from Western Cambodia

Mother and son: Angelina and Maddox in 2003 shortly after she adopted the boy from Western Cambodia

Young star: Maddox, right with Shiloh, middle and Pax, left, on the red carpet with their father Brad Pitt last year

Young star: Maddox, right with Shiloh, middle and Pax, left, on the red carpet with their father Brad Pitt last year

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