Pregnant Jolie challenged by role as mother hunting for child

Angeline Jolie today said that she could not imagine anything worse than losing a child, when discussing her new film 'Changeling'.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, the movie is based on the real-life story of working class single mother Christine Collins (Jolie), whose nine-year-old son Walter goes missing.

Five months later a child claiming to be the boy is returned and police are eager to bask in a public relations coup of reuniting mother and son.

Christine takes the boy home, but knows in her heart he is not Walter.

The film is set in Los Angeles in 1928 and tells how the woman’s invincible spirit brought down a police department and ushered in a new era of equality.

She finds an ally in community activist Gustav Briegleb (John Malkovich).

In her search for answers, Christine becomes an unlikely heroine for those who have been swept aside.

Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival today where the film is showing in competition, Jolie said: “To lose a child, I can’t imagine anything worse, especially not knowing the fate of that child.”

Jolie, who is pregnant with twins, said that as a modern, outspoken woman, she knew the part was going to be a challenge.

She said she imagined the frustration she would feel if she were in the situation.

She said: “I lost my own mother a few months before the film...

“My mother was very passive in many ways and very sweet, but when it came to her children, she was a lion.”

She said Christine reminded her of her mother Marcheline Bertrand and it was a way of re-visiting her.

Jolie paid tribute to Eastwood as being an “amazing” boss.

She said she had been nervous at first but he was a great all-round leader, giving respect to every single member of the crew.

“I have never seen a director command such respect,” she said.

Jolie said that there were parallels in the film with global issues and the fight against corruption.

She said: “It is symbolic of many things that are happening today.”

Eastwood talked about the serial killer element in the film, saying it was more devastating because it was a paedophile situation.

He said: “Crimes against children are to me the most heinous crimes that there are...

“It never ceases to surprise you how cruel humanity can be.

“It’s an important subject to take up but it’s not going to be the last story like this in history.”

Eastwood said the film showed how one woman brought down corruption through her “tenacious attitude”.

Eastwood was asked about rumours he is to re-visit his role in 'Dirty Harry', which he is introducing a special screening of at Cannes.

But Eastwood replied: “No, that rumour’s incorrect.”

Jolie joked: “I am.”

Eastwood responded: “Dirty Harriet.”

He continued: “Dirty Harry would not be in a police department at my age.”

Asked why he did not act in the film, Eastwood said: “There was just no role for me.

“I’m gradually working my way round to spending more time behind the camera than in front.

“It’s something that’s an inevitability.”

Talking about themes of truth in the film, Eastwood said: “Truth is the most important thing.”

He said: “Children in danger is just about the highest form of drama you can have.”