Actress-director Angelina Jolie is all set to executive produce and present Zeresenay Berhane Mehari’s Ethopian film ‘Difret’.
The actress called the film “a strong moment for art in Ethiopia” at the Sundance film festival where the film will have its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition category, said the Hollywood Reporter.
The story of the film revolves around a young Ethiopian girl who challenges the tradition of “telefax,” the practice of abduction in marriage, usually of young girls.
The Oscar-winning actress, who has been busy directing World War II drama ‘Unbroken’, called the film an inspiring story from Ethopia, the birth country of her adopted daughter Zahara, nine.
“It is inspiring to see such an important story so beautifully illustrated with such creative talent. It draws out the richness of Ethiopian culture and shows how important legal advances can be made while respecting local culture. “It is a story that gives hope for Ethiopia’s future, and for other countries where countless girls grow up without the protection of laws that shield them and their bodies, and shows how the courage of brave individuals can awaken the conscience of a society,” Jolie said in a statement to THR.
Both Jolie and fiance Brad Pitt are have donated USD 2 million ot help fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the country. (PTI)
