At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Tribute Awards, Oscar-winning actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie delivered a poignant and candid speech upon receiving the TIFF Tribute Award for Impact Media. Known not only for her cinematic accomplishments but also for her relentless advocacy for human rights, Jolie didn’t hold back when reflecting on the state of the world today.
“When asked how I feel about the state of the world, I admit I feel sick,” Jolie confessed during her acceptance speech. The actress and humanitarian expressed deep frustration, acknowledging her sense of disillusionment after years of pushing for basic human rights, only to witness worsening conditions for many people. “I feel a part of the failure of the system,” she added, offering a rare glimpse of vulnerability from someone so often at the forefront of global activism.
Cinema’s Role in Bridging Empathy
Despite the grim realities she described, Jolie emphasized that her work in film continues to be a powerful outlet for her desire to inspire change. As TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey pointed out during the event, many of Jolie’s films focus on the enduring scars of war and human suffering. From her 2014 epic Unbroken, which recounted the harrowing WWII experiences of Olympian Louis Zamperini, to First They Killed My Father, her 2017 Netflix documentary highlighting the horrors of the Khmer Rouge through the eyes of a child survivor, Jolie has repeatedly used her platform to spotlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of atrocities.
Her latest film, Without Blood, which premiered at TIFF, continues this tradition. Adapted from Alessandro Baricco’s novel, the film tells the story of a woman confronting her father’s killer decades after a violent event that spared her life. While the novel doesn’t specify a geographical setting, Jolie chose to set the narrative against the rich historical backdrop of Mexico, with performances by Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir.
In accepting her award, Jolie reflected on the intersection of cinema and social justice. “The challenge of making films you hope can make an impact is that you look back and wonder if they did,” she said, acknowledging the uncertainty of whether her work has truly helped prevent the kinds of violence and cruelty she has portrayed on screen.
A Call for Unity Through Art
Jolie’s speech also touched on the role of artists and audiences in combating misinformation and fostering empathy through global cinema. “As artists, and as an audience, we have an opportunity now more than ever to watch and learn from world cinema,” she remarked. By sharing and supporting stories from across the globe, Jolie emphasized that cinema has the unique power to bring people closer and break down divisions.
“I’ve had the privilege of working and collaborating with artists from all over the world,” she said, paying tribute to filmmakers from places like Iran and Sudan whose films were also being showcased at TIFF. “To know each other makes it harder for misinformation to be spread or divisions created.”
Jolie’s unwavering belief in the ability of cinema to foster understanding and empathy was clear in her call to continue creating art, even in the face of uncertainty. “We have no certainty of success,” she said, “but no option other than to be human, and keep creating.”
A Legacy of Impact
The TIFF Tribute Award for Impact Media celebrates those who use the medium of film to effect social change, and Jolie’s career is a testament to this ideal. Through her storytelling, she has continually shed light on the darkest corners of human experience while offering audiences a glimmer of hope in the resilience of humanity.
While Angelina Jolie may feel disheartened by the state of the world, her dedication to using cinema as a means to connect, inform, and inspire remains as strong as ever. In her words, the goal of creating films that foster empathy and unity is more urgent now than ever before.
