Angelina Jolie made big news at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival when she talked about her worries regarding America today. The Oscar-winning actress was at the festival to promote her new movie Couture, directed by Alice Winocour.
During a press meeting on Sunday, a reporter asked Jolie what scared her “as an artist and as an American” during what they called a “worrying time” for free speech in the United States. After thinking about the “very hard” question for a few moments, Jolie gave a careful but clear answer.
“I love my country, but I don’t, at this time, recognize my country,” Jolie said, according to The Hill. She explained that her way of looking at the world has always been international. She noted that her family, friends, and life experiences happen in many different countries. The actress said she believes that stopping personal expression and freedoms is dangerous no matter where it happens.
Jolie’s worries about free speech matter more now
Jolie’s comments came during a very tense time in American media and politics. Just days before her appearance at the festival, ABC had suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show for an unknown amount of time after he made controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.
The suspension came after pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who threatened to take action against ABC after Kimmel criticized the MAGA movement’s response to Kirk’s killing. Several major broadcast station owners also said they would stop showing Kimmel’s show on their networks.
Angelina Jolie: “I love my country, but I don’t at this time recognize my country. Anything, anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone I think is very dangerous” pic.twitter.com/86Uyl3BETP
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) September 22, 2025
Jolie did not directly talk about the Kimmel situation during her press meeting. However, her comments about censorship being “very dangerous” seemed to match up with bigger worries about media freedom. She said it was important to be careful with words during such “serious times” but kept her belief about protecting expression.
The actress has long been known for her international way of thinking and humanitarian work. She said during the press meeting that she and her family have always spent time living in other countries. This global view has shaped how she thinks about unity and freedom of expression across different cultures and political systems. Despite her huge $120 million net worth, Jolie has always used her fame to speak up for important causes.
Couture, Jolie’s newest film, deals with heavy topics including cancer and shows three women from different countries. The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before showing in San Sebastian. The film runs until September 27 at the Spanish festival, where Jolie is making her first appearance at the event.
