On August 2, 2023, Breaking V reported that Angelina Jolie has showcased her writing talents in a new way. Instead of participating in a typical interview for Elle’s September issue, the actress and activist has penned her own cover story for the magazine to publish. This development comes shortly after Jolie became one of Time’s contributing editors.
number of times to delve into larger themes of society and human nature. She touches on issues such as the glorification of violence in media, the need for empathy and understanding, and the importance of personal responsibility. It’s clear that Jolie has put a lot of thought and effort into this essay, and it shows.
Other famous faces, such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, have also recently taken matters into their own hands by creating a listicle and a series of essays, respectively. However, Jolie has chosen to go a different route by writing one comprehensive essay which happens to promote her upcoming film, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. The movie, which is set to be released in October, stars Jolie, Elle Fanning, and Michelle Pfeiffer, with Jolie playing the titular villainous fairy. Interestingly, the essay starts with a definition of maleficence and goes on to explore the deeper themes of society and humanity that the term represents. Jolie skillfully touches on topics such as the over-glorification of violence in media and the importance of personal responsibility. It’s evident that Jolie has put a significant amount of thought and effort into her essay, making it a noteworthy read.
The content serves as a starting point to address the wider historical issue of the persecution of women who refuse to be silenced or controlled. In just two sentences, the writer cites the Old Testament’s command “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” as the reason behind the execution of tens of thousands of individuals, with the majority being women, from Europe’s witch hunts to America’s Salem trials. Jolie highlights that women were often accused of witchcraft for having an independent sexual life, expressing their opinions on politics or religion, or dressing differently. She further adds that if she had lived in earlier times, she would have been burnt at the stake several times for merely being herself.
Jolie uses Joan of Arc as an example of how women have been blamed for unexplainable things and accused of witchcraft. This is similar to the way some women are still viewed today for simply singing or dancing in public, which is considered indecent or illegal in some countries. Jolie notes that Iranian girls who post videos of themselves dancing are challenging the country’s laws and religious beliefs, proving that this issue still exists even six centuries later.
Jolie highlights the contemporary similarities concerning women’s rights by pointing out that even in democratic countries, females running for political office are deemed as “witches.” She also mentions the staggering number of 200 million women and girls who undergo genital mutilation and the Sudanese women who were purportedly raped by authorities after demanding free elections and taking to the streets. Moreover, women who advocate for human rights across multiple countries are still branded as “deviant,” “bad mothers,” “difficult,” or “loose.” She then relates it to her own life experiences by stating that her beliefs and actions as a woman could land her in jail or expose her to physical peril if she were a citizen of those nations she frequently visits for work.
Angelina Jolie boldly asserts that so-called “wicked women” are simply those who have grown weary of being mistreated and subjected to unfair treatment. She argues that if this is what it means to be wicked, then the world could benefit from more women embracing this label. Although her statement may seem out of place amidst her glamorous photographs featuring designer gowns and leather jackets, it is a thought-provoking one all the same.
