Brangelina Takes On Cannes

"Mighty Heart" Star Says Pregnancy Created Special Bond With Marianne Pearl

(AP)  Angelina Jolie, who plays the widow of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in "A Mighty Heart," said she was overwhelmed by Mariane Pearl's inner strength and her ability to let go of hatred.

Jolie, Pearl and Brad Pitt, the movie's co-producer, were at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday for the premiere of "A Mighty Heart," about Daniel Pearl's abduction and murder in Pakistan in 2002 while researching a story on Islamic militants.

The film, shot in a naturalistic documentary style, recounts the search to find Daniel Pearl's kidnappers and his widow's struggle to come to terms with his murder. Mariane Pearl was more than five months pregnant at the time.

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Photos: Brangelina In Cannes

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"For me, so much of why this film was important to do is because I highly doubt there is anybody in this room who has more reason to hold hate inside herself than Mariane, and she doesn't," Jolie told reporters.

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Photos: Angelina Jolie

Photos: Cannes 2007

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"That is, I think, a lesson for all of us," Jolie said.

The film, directed by Britain's Michael Winterbottom ("The Road to Guantanamo," "Welcome to Sarajevo"), begins on the last day the Pearls spent together in Pakistan, where they were both on assignment as reporters. When he disappeared, Mariane Pearl was deeply involved in the search to find him.

Daniel Pearl was captured by Islamic militants in January 2002 while researching a story on Islamic militancy in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Despite worldwide pleas for his release, he was beheaded nine days later; video of the killing was posted the Internet. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, an alleged al Qaeda chief held at Guantanamo Bay, has confessed to killing Pearl.

2Mariane Pearl said she got in touch with Jolie after reading a magazine interview with her and being struck by the feeling they could be friends. She asked Jolie to play her in the film adaptation of her memoir "A Mighty Heart," and said their friendship grew over the course of the project.

"I think about the fact that my son will see the film one day, and this is a great moment of pain for me," Pearl said. "And this role was played by somebody who loves me, and it means a lot to me."

Jolie said her own pregnancy, during the film's preparatory stages, helped her understand what Pearl went through.

"I remember being six months pregnant and thinking, I can't imagine at this time not having the father with me ... and being concerned about his life, and trying to eat and trying to remember to get some sleep and trying to take a deep breath and physically even just moving around," Jolie said. "As a woman it just made me so much more connected to her and aware of her."

[lil_d3vil]

The Pearl story is a good one if you leave the c rap from the actors lives outta it.

Since when did Hollywood have morals?
The majority of the movies they put out are much like how they live Drugs s ex whose sleeping with whom & partying and then many of that community expect us to look up to them just because they throw out their money to a cause.

[sjw1253]

I write to DylanXXV-

Your post is so hateful. I do not know why you have such disdain for someone you don't know and from the rumors you have heard - it was not she who committed adultery - but the person who was married...

That said - I hope you can find more kindness in your heart as the main issue of the story presented is that the admiration Angelina has for Marianne especially because of her ability to turn her back on hatred.

It is when we can see the good in people and not allow the negativity of hatred rule our hearts and our minds that we can truly have the best intentions and wishing peace for all.

[maccar555]

I don't care about her personal life. This is her business. However, she is an excellent actress and that why she is paid the big bucks. If we start firing people for their personal habits, the workforce would shrink considerably.

[dylanxxv]

You can't think of a better person to play her?
The piece of trash is an aldulterous *** with a capitol S...I can't wait to see which fellow actor she does in this movie...

[sal567]

These two women are admirable. I can't think of a better actor to portray Marianne Pearl than Angelina Jolie. I hope the Awards people everywhere will think of her when it comes to award time. She's due for her second Oscar. I also hope Marianne and Angelina will both live a happy and productive life . . . and I pray someday Marianne will find her own Brad Pitt. Brad and Angelina look good and happy together. I hope they stay that way forever.

[briansgirl2]

My greatest respect for Marianne Pearl. She is truly a phenomenal woman!!!