Angelina Jolie questions free-speech climate as she promotes Couture at San Sebastian

At the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Sunday, Angelina Jolie used a question about free speech to spotlight what she described as a challenging climate for artists and Americans. Ahead of the premiere of Couture, in which Jolie portrays American filmmaker Maxine who discovers she has cancer, she was asked during the festival's press conference what she fears as an artist and as an American, Variety reported. Jolie paused, then answered: "I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country." She added, "These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together."

Her remarks reflected a broader emphasis on a worldview Jolie has described as international. "My worldview is equal, united, and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous," she said. She also explained that she has long sought privacy for her large family, saying, "I’ve always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life..." She noted plans to split time between places around the world, and that she would spend time in Cambodia. "When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety," Jolie said. "I have a house now to raise my children, but sometimes this place can be… that humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here." This sentiment underscored a broader stance she has voiced in recent years about balancing a public life with private family needs.

The Hollywood star has previously discussed her desire to leave the United States, in part because of custody arrangements with ex-husband Brad Pitt. A People magazine insider said Jolie plans to relocate as soon as Knox and Viv turn 18 next year, pointing to several locations abroad. The insider added that Jolie never wanted to live in Los Angeles full time and that the custody situation helped drive the decision to consider life outside the U.S. The plan, People reported, is to sell the Los Angeles home she currently uses for raising the children and relocate when the younger two reach adulthood.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce was filed in 2016, followed by an acrimonious eight-year legal battle. Settlement terms were finalized last December, ending one phase of the long case. Jolie’s lawyer, James Simon, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that while the divorce was long in the making, Jolie has focused on healing her family: "More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over." A source close to the matter added to Fox News Digital that Jolie doesn’t speak ill of Pitt publicly or privately and has urged the public to focus on changes in law rather than on narratives about their family.

Couture marks Jolie’s latest foray into a world where art intersects with real-world issues. In courtly and festival settings alike, she has frequently used her platform to draw attention to privacy, safety, and the rights of families who navigate intense public scrutiny. The San Sebastian remarks — emphasizing internationalism and warning against divisions that curb expression — fit into a broader pattern of Jolie using her influence to advocate for humanitarian and policy concerns while continuing to star in high-profile projects.

The festival appearance also comes amid ongoing discussion about Jolie’s personal plans, including her stated preference for a life outside Los Angeles, should her family circumstances allow. Jolie has described a life spent in multiple countries, with time spent in Cambodia and elsewhere, reflecting years of international work and advocacy, including humanitarian efforts tied to her more than two decades in the public eye. While she has repeatedly expressed affection for the United States, her comments in Spain signaled a willingness to pursue life abroad if custody and privacy considerations aligned with her family’s needs.

As Couture premieres, Jolie’s remarks at San Sebastian stand as a reminder that the line between public art and public speech remains pronounced for a star who has long positioned herself at the intersection of cinema, philanthropy, and global discourse. The international focus of her work, both on screen and off, continues to shape how audiences interpret her projects and her personal stance on freedom of expression in turbulent times.