'By the Sea' Inspired by Angelina Jolie Pitt's Grief over Mom's Death
"By the Sea" is a very special movie for Angelina Jolie Pitt because it was inspired by her grief over her mother's death in 2007 and marks her first on-screen collaboration with husband Brad Pitt after "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."
During the premiere of "By the Sea" at the AFI Fest in Hollywood on Thursday, Angelina Jolie Pitt revealed that she wrote the story after she lost her mom in 2007. She began writing because she missed her mom, even though she did not know where exactly the story was headed, according to an AP report published on CBS News.
Jolie Pitt explained that at the time, she did not know where to put her pain and grief, so she started putting together the story. Aside from being the main character in "By the Sea," she also directed and produced the film, the report details.
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While making the movie, the couple made a deal to be "as open and honest and emotive as possible." They promised to give it their best shot and accept the result, whether it would be a success or a flop, People reports.
The famous Hollywood couple shot "By the Sea" in Malta just a few days after their wedding. Jolie Pitt revealed that their working honeymoon had a lot of bumps, but it turned out to be their best honeymoon, the report relays.
"Because the film says, 'Whatever you go through, weather the storm and stick together,'" Jolie Pitt told The Telegraph.
"By the Sea" is a dramatic film about a rich American couple who spent some time on a French seaside for a retreat. While Roland (Pitt) ends up drinking instead of writing, Vanessa (Jolie Pitt) sinks into a sad state and starts popping pills. Their marriage starts to become shaky, but things change when they meet a newlywed couple spending their honeymoon on the seaside.
Pitt said he trusts his wife's instincts when it comes to film directing. Jolie Pitt also reveled in the opportunity to work with her husband on-screen. She said the project served as a test for their relationship, and thankfully, they came out stronger than before.
Jolie Pitt also clarified that "By the Sea" is not based on her own marriage. She explained that they would not have been able to make the film if its story was close to their own marriage woes.
"By the Sea" will open in theaters on Nov. 13.
