Angelina Jolie attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and was honored with the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award. The 49-year-old actress captivated the audience in a stunning champagne satin dress complemented by a matching jacket as she reflected on her journey in the film industry and paid tribute to her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand.
Jolie exuded elegance on the red carpet, her champagne-colored gown featuring an open back that showcased her intricate tattoos. She paired the look with black pumps and statement rings, her radiant smile reflecting a sense of peace and newfound independence following the finalization of her divorce from Brad Pitt after eight years.
Taking the stage to accept the festival's highest distinction, Jolie was visibly emotional as she spoke about her mother's profound impact on her career and life. Marcheline, who passed away on January 27, 2007, at 56 years old, was a guiding force in Jolie's decision to pursue acting. Marking 18 years since her passing, Jolie tearfully shared, "I am absolutely nothing without her love."
"I think of my mother … she had to give up her dreams of a creative life but she embraced that side of mine," Jolie said.
The Maltin Modern Master Award, named after renowned film critic Leonard Maltin, recognizes actors who "have enriched our culture through achievements in the film industry." Maltin praised Jolie's career: "Her bold choices, both as an actress and director, set high standards, and she always delivers." Jolie joins a fantastic group of past recipients, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr., Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, and Christopher Nolan.
During her speech, Jolie revealed that her mom used to write letters to the characters she played in movies. "Dear Gia,' 'Dear Lisa Rowe,' 'Dear Lara Croft' — and for the last 16 years, I haven't had those letters," Jolie said.
This honor comes amid widespread acclaim for Jolie's latest role as opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's biopic "Maria." Critics have lauded her performance as "the best of her career," though she was notably absent from this year's Oscar nominations. However, having won an Academy Award 25 years ago for "Girl, Interrupted," Jolie appears unfazed, recently stating that she values personal fulfillment over accolades. While she was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, the award ultimately went to Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres for "I'm Still Here."
Speaking about her role as Callas, she continued, "I try to imagine sometimes what she would write, and she would probably have told Maria that she loved her because Maria had many things but she never had a mother's love."
A teary Jolie said, "I would be absolutely nothing without mine. She passed away many years ago at this time of year, so it's always this weather that reminds me of her."
"And that feeling and that sensibility that makes that actually hard for me is part of what is my work and what connects many artists to their work, and I know I'm not alone in this," the actor added.
Jolie, a dedicated humanitarian and former UN ambassador, reflected on her evolving priorities. She expressed that despite her love for the arts, she would find complete happiness, dedicating herself entirely to motherhood. "[My mom] took me to the theater. She told me about meeting Tennessee Williams and introduced me to the Lee Strasberg Institute, where I would later study," Jolie shared. "And I now experience the joy of seeing my own daughter love theater and get involved," she added, referring to daughter Vivienne, 16. Angelina Jolie shares sons Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, and Knox, 16, and daughters Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18, with her ex-husband.