The casting session appeared mundane: Along with about 100 other hopefuls, Dzana Pinjo, a 29-year-old Bosnian actress, read from a script about the Bosnian war. Then things got personal. Pinjo was interviewed privately about her own experiences during the conflict, which began when she was 10, in 1992. Forced to leave school, she hid in her family's apartment building for weeks at a time over the next four years. The questions "felt intimate," she says. "I was a bit uncomfortable." But her openness paid off.
She landed the role — a Bosnian woman in a brutal war camp. And she learned the film was Angelina Jolie's directorial debut.
"It was a shock. I thought, She's coming here? Angelina? Come on!" Pinjo says.
Zana Marjanovic, the film's lead, fled Sarajevo when the war started. Now 28, she assumed the vivid script, which Jolie wrote, was by a Bosnian. When Jolie called her personally, Marjanovic felt a rush of adrenaline. But there was no room to be starstruck on set. Jolie met with everyone, even the actresses with minor roles; they were all soon calling her "Angie."
In preparation for a horrible rape scene, Jelena Jovanova, 27, and Jolie had a heart-to-heart over breakfast. "She said, 'It's going to be tough,'" recalls Jovanova. After several takes, Jolie invited Jovanova to see her performance on a monitor. Other actors gathered around, moved to tears.
Nervous before her first meeting with Jolie, Vanesa Glodjo, 37, wrote up a list of questions. But Jolie asked about Glodjo's own experiences — like dodging Serbian sniper fire as a 17-year-old. "There's a special state of mind in wartime," Glodjo says. "She wanted to capture that."
Jolie gave Alma Terzic, 24, a DVD of video testimonials from women who had lived through the conflict. The stories brought Terzic back to her childhood, when her family spent two years unsure whether or not her soldier father was alive.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
For Pinjo, working with Jolie was a lesson both in craft and self-empowerment. "She said, 'This is the story of your people. I trust you,'" recalls the actress. "It's something I will remember all my life."
-
Jess Hong Enters Her Chaotic Era
She was doing kids’ theater in New Zealand when she landed the leading role on Netflix’s epic ‘3 Body Problem.’ And now that the show is No. 1 on the streamer, her whole world is about to change.
By Jessica M. Goldstein Published
-
39 J.Crew, Reformation, and COS Items That Are Ideal for Spring Travel
Spring ready.
By Allyson Payer Published
-
Taylor Swift Breaks Yet Another Music-Industry Record
This is pretty much the norm now, no?
By Meghan De Maria Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors Published
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park Published
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez Published
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors Published