Angelina Jolie Set To Direct Sir Don McCullin Biopic Unreasonable Behaviour
Angelina Jolie will be heading back into ‘war’ for his next directorial job as she’s signed to direct Unreasonable Behaviour. The Biopic about the legendary British war photographer Sir Don McCullin, based on his critically acclaimed autobiography of the same title it was announced today.
Best known for his often harrowing black and white images taken in Vietnam and Cambodia whilst working for The Observer and The Sunday Times Newspapers, McCullin risked his life to capture these images of war which continue to resonate to this day. He is respected for the empathy and honesty of his depiction of human suffering in his work.
Screenwriter Gregory Burke (’71, Entebbe) is writing the screenplay, an adaptation of McCullin’s autobiography. An unflinching account of the celebrated British war photographer’s life, which took him from poverty-stricken, wartime London to some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.
Jolie is slowly building a portfolio of acclaimed films as a director. Her films have focused on activists, inspirational survivors of wars of the last 100 plus years. For her directorial feature debut In The Land Of Blood And Honey (Bosnian War), Unbroken (World War II) true story of World War II survivor and US Olympian Louis Zamperini. More recently First They Killed My Father based on Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s memoir. Capturing the story of one of Britain’s most celebrated war photographers
“I am humbled to have a chance to bring Don McCullin’s life to film,” said Angelina Jolie. “I was drawn to his unique combination of fearlessness and humanity – his absolute commitment to witnessing the truth of war, and his empathy and respect for those who suffer its consequences. We hope to make a film that is as uncompromising as Don’s photography, about the extraordinary people and events he witnessed, and the rise and fall of a unique era in journalism”.
Don McCullin commented on his upcoming film “Having viewed Angelina’s last film on Cambodia (and having spent so much time during the war there) I was very impressed at how she made such a powerful and accurate representation of the place at that time. I feel as if I am in safe, capable and professional hands with her.“
Tom Hardy and Dean Baker are set to produce the film under their Hardy Son & Baker banner alongside Working Title Films’ Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. McCullin and Mark George are exec producing.
“Don McCullin is someone that we’ve long held a deep and profound respect for,” said HSB’s Hardy and Baker jointly. “His remarkable story is one of brutal honesty, unflinching courage, and unbound empathy. Angelina has carved a considered approach to the material that we’ve all been looking for – relevant and compelling, ethically sensitive and engaging. We are excited by her vision and look forward to supporting her depiction of a man who deserves to be remembered for his extraordinary contribution, service, and lifelong work to humanity.”
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