Angelina Jolie's 'First They Killed My Father' Helps Son 'Grow And Evolve'

Angelina Jolie's movie "First They Killed My Father" has positive effects on her son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt.

Jolie has been spending more time with her children after her split from Brad Pitt. It's been over a year since she decided to take a rest from acting, but she never really turned her back from the craft as she was busy directing a Cambodian film titled "First They Killed My Father."

According to the "Maleficent" star, the film has helped her oldest son, Maddox "grow and evolve" in ways she never imagined. Producing the film offered Maddox, whom she adopted in Cambodia new knowledge about his country.

"It was a joy. I wanted them to understand their world and be able to go out and live and make friends," Jolie told Psychologies Magazine (via Brampton Guardian). "Yes, we were working on something important and I wanted them to have a strong work ethic, but I was also so proud when I looked over and saw Mad and Pax working with the crew and creating something. It was a natural process and I think it helped Mad to grow and evolve in a way that I couldn't do for him. His country had to teach him. He was very involved in the production and Pax worked as a set photographer."

Jolie's oldest son served as the executive producer of the movie. According to the "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" actress, her son earned it.

"He earned that [executive producer] credit. We'd had the script for a few years and Mad has known of Loung's story his whole life," Jolie explained. "I told him, 'One day, son, you'll be ready and you'll tell me when it's time to go deeply into your country. But I need your help. You have to do it with me."

Jolie added that the "First They Killed My Father" film was taken from a child's point of view. Thus, it helped to have someone younger like Maddox work with her. Jolie was very happy that they worked together. She was very impressed with his works.

"I can never rate my own child, but I couldn't have made it without him and I cannot say that about every producer I've worked with," Jolie said about working with Maddox as her producer.

Earlier this month, Jolie received the Rising Star Award at Asian Film Fest on behalf of Sreymoch Sareum. Sareum played the role of Loung On in the Netflix movie.