PHNOM PENH: Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has spoken warmly about her more than two-decade connection with Cambodia, describing the kingdom as a place where she feels at home. She described how Cambodians had taught her important lessons about resilience, generosity and humanity.
Speaking at the Asean Inclusive Growth Summit in the Philippines on Nov 11, Jolie recalled how her first visit to Cambodia to film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider around 25 years ago developed into a lasting personal and humanitarian relationship with the country.
“I couldn’t believe their spirits were so strong after all they had suffered,” Jolie recalled, referring to the kingdom’s painful history of war and conflict, Rappler reported.
“There was also just something. You go to certain places, and you just feel at home,” she said as she described her emotional connection to Cambodia.
She also highlighted how her relationship with Cambodia has changed her life personally. Jolie recalled returning to Cambodia for volunteer work at a school, where she met her eldest adopted son, Maddox, who was born in the kingdom.
“I had this thought as clear as day that my son is here and I have to find him,” she recalled.
Jolie’s connection to Cambodia has extended beyond family ties to humanitarian and environmental work. She recalled that the land where she established her home in Cambodia was once contaminated by landmines, requiring extensive clearance work.
“The first few years, we were just demining the area, the place that is now my home. We actually found 48 landmines,” she said.
She praised Cambodia and other developing countries for their cultural wealth, human potential and natural resources, arguing that they should not be defined by poverty or dependence on international aid.
“These are not poor cultures. These are not poor countries. These are rich countries, strong people, brilliant people, rich resources, nature, capacity,” she noted.
She described how all communities could become more self-reliant if they received fair opportunities to trade, produce goods and develop their own economies.
“If they had been given the support and they could trade fairly and they could produce fairly. They wouldn’t need that much at all if they had been treated fairly from the start,” she was quoted as saying by GMA News Online.
She called for a shift from humanitarian relief towards investment in local communities, education and livelihoods so people could support themselves rather than remain dependent on assistance.
Reflecting on her own priorities, Jolie said she wanted to live a simpler life dedicated to helping others, describing service to people as a source of happiness rather than a sacrifice.
“I wanna have a more simple life… and being of service it’s not a sacrifice to live a life for others and it’s a great joy,” she said.
According to Rappler, Jolie planned to bring Atelier Jolie to Cambodia in the near future. Her creative fashion collective was founded in 2023 to bring together tailors, designers, artists and artisans from around the world to create clothing and promote sustainable fashion. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
