In film trailer, Angelina Jolie extends her brand

liam lacey

Globe and Mail Update

Published Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 11:35AM EDT

Last updated Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 11:38AM EDT

In the Land of Blood and Honey (the trailer)
Written and directed by Angelina Jolie

A tabloid queen, an Oscar winner, United Nations humanitarian, Brad Pitts squeeze and the mother of many: Now add writing and directing a feature film to the 36-year-olds accomplishments.

The trailer to her movie, In the Land of Blood and Honey (Dec. 23, just in time for the Oscars) came out on Friday, though like most things Jolie touches, the film had already run into controversy. Bosnian officials briefly halted production over mistaken reports that this drama was about rape, and then reversed their decision when they read the script about a Serb guard and the former girlfriend who becomes his prisoner.

Judging by the trailer, Jolie is extending the familiar elements of her brand: dark sexuality, explosive action and social justice. After a brief shot of brooding, low mountains, we begin with two lovers, Ajla (Zana Marjanovic) and Danijel (Goran Kostic) ,whispering in bed. Why couldnt you be born a Serb? he asks.

Later we see Aija being taken by a soldier through a door. Am I a prisoner? she asks in voice-over. Youre not a prisoner if you want to be here, he answers.

Intimacy and violence are juxtaposed: He stands over her while her arms are bound to a bed; later we see other tied hands of prisoners lined up in front of a shallow pit. The movie may well veer into sanctimony or exploitation, but the preview, at least, looks risky and ardent, as we would we expect from Jolie.