angelina jolie makes a movie about war and rape

[niyad]

Angelina Jolie Makes a Movie About War and Rape

by Kristina Chew

Bono and AIDS. Madonna and the school in Malawi. Farm Aid. Celebrities promoting good causes have become a tired cliché — and now here’s Angelina Jolie not only engrossed in humanitarian work but also directing a movie, In the Land of Blood and Honey, about the Bosnian War and violence against women, and making the rounds in Washington D.C. to promote it. The question is asked again and again, do these partnerships actually do any good, aside from creating an aura of good will for the already-famous entertainer/actor/pop star?

In a recent essay, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof turns this notion of celebrities promoting good causes for their stardom’s sake on its head, writing that, celebrities are actually making a difference and especially when you compare their efforts to the likes of (for instance) our vainglorious Congress and other politicians (some of whom could be said to be wrapped up in the business of becoming celebrities themselves). Writes Kristof:

Congress is so paralyzed and immature, even sleazy, that we reporters sometimes leave a politician’s press conference feeling the urgent need to shower. But look at university and high school students. Sure, plenty still live for a party, but a growing number have no time for beer because they’re so busy tutoring prisoners, battling sex trafficking or building wells in Africa.

Even more startling, we can now turn to moral leadership from — brace yourself — Hollywood’s “most beautiful people.” I know, I know. What we expect from celebrities is mostly scandalous sex lives and crackpot behavior, and some do oblige. But increasingly as our “leaders” debase the national conversation, sex symbols elevate it.

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Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/angelina-jolie-makes-a-movie-about-war-and-rape.html#ixzz1kUE0EPtt

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I'm curious if Jolie ever saw "Two Women"...

the scene where Sophia Loren screams at the line of soldiers about what they've done to her daughter just burns into your brain.

(And, btw, the point about the sleazy congress is well taken.)

[niyad]

2. I don't know whether she has seen that movie or not--but would not doubt that she has.

sleazy congress is absolutely correct. I have felt like we need delousing chambers after even just discussing them. and it seems to be getting worse and worse.