Angelina Jolie reveals her children saw 'her pain' while working together on set of Maria

Angelina Jolie says her eldest sons saw 'the pain' she usually hides from them while working together on the set of her new film Maria.

Maddox Jolie-Pitt, 23, and Pax Jolie-Pitt, 21, worked as production assistants on the Maria, a biographical psychological drama film about opera singer Maria Callas.

Jolie, 49, who portrays Callas in the biopic, revealed that the character has 'lot of pain' - which she channeled on the film set in front of her sons.

'They've of course seen me go through a lot of things, but they hadn't experienced me expressing a lot of the pain that usually a parent hides from a child,' the actress told the BBC.

Jolie shared how Maddox and Pax would give her a 'hug' or 'bring me cups of tea' after her emotional displays. The actress says the experience helped her find a 'new' and 'even greater way' to be honest about her feelings with her family. 

Maria - which has already generated Oscars buzz following the trailer's release - dropped on Netflix on December 11. 

The star's latest emotional revelation comes just days after she opened up about feeling lonely and 'in a strange way' ahead of her bitter court battle with ex husband Brad Pitt. 

The former A-List couple - who split eight years ago with Angelina accusing Pitt of abuse - are in the midst of an acrimonious legal battle for their French vineyard.

Speaking to The Sun at a London hotel on Saturday, Angelina revealed the trait she shares with opera star Callas was loneliness.

'I have my children I love but as an adult I'm often alone, I find myself identifying with the solitude and loneliness she has,' she said.

'I also haven't quite figured out how to live life in a way where I'm on my own, maybe a lot of artists feel that we're in an open space as a person.

Jolie recently scored a major legal victory against Pitt after a judge ruled that he must hand over documents and communications which could prove he was abusive towards the actress and their children.

The ongoing dispute has seen the feuding exes attack each other in legal filings ever since Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 for selling her stake in their Chateau Miraval estate, which produces an award-winning sparkling rosé.

Legal filings seen by DailyMail.com show that the communications Pitt, 60, has been ordered to produce begins the day Jolie claims he abused her on a private plane shortly before their separation in 2016.

She previously accused him of pouring red wine and beer over his ex and one of the couple's children on a private plane.

Pitt has always denied being abusive and was cleared by law enforcement following an investigation – though his ex-wife claimed in filings that his 'history of physical abuse' started 'well before' the plane incident.

Jolie was spotted with her son Maddox on the set of her latest project, Stitches, in Paris on Wednesday. The 23-year-old is working as the third assistant director on the movie. 

The star - who has been keeping busy by shooting the fashion drama in France - was seen stepping in front of the camera to film at a wig store and then later at a hospital courtyard. 

Maddox was also seen strolling around the set sporting an all-black ensemble after recently being hired as the third assistant director for Stitches, DailyMail.com learned earlier this week. 

Along with Maddox, Angelina's daughter Zahara, 19, has also been spotted on set of the fashion drama in France - although it is not yet known if she also has a role with the project. 

Jolie shares Maddox, Zahara, Pax, 21, Shiloh, 18, as well as twins Knox and Vivienne, 16, with ex Brad Pitt. 

Jolie is no stranger to collaborating with her children on her own projects, and recently worked with Maddox and Pax on the biopic Maria.

Maddox notably enrolled at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea - but has since been seen stepping his foot into the film industry.

When it comes to working with his mother, the 23-year-old has gushed that the Hollywood star is 'fun, funny, and easy to work with.'

During a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the actress discussed her two kids helping out on Maria. 

'They were able to consider the relationships in the film and the violence - things that sometimes you don't have the opportunity to discuss with your sons, so I felt fortunate.'

And while previously speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in August, she further reflected on her kids having the chance to gain experience on set.

'Mad and Pax were on this one. Doing AD [assistant directing] work. They've done that quite a few times, and I think that's good for them,' she stated.

'Pax tends to do stills and he gets brought in, and [director] Pablo was wonderful and recognized that he was good at it.'

Jolie also revealed the reason why she decided to step back in front of the camera - and explained that she didn't need to be home as much for her kids.

'They're a bit older, getting more independent. I'm less needed and so able to go away for different periods of time.'

She added, 'And they're old enough to join me at work. It's a new season in our lives. I'm very excited for them to be coming into their own more and more every day.'