Actress and human rights activist Angelina Jolie has shared the first promo of her Netflix original film, "First They Killed My Father."
Based on a memoir written by Loung Ung, the film tells the tragic story inflicted by the Khmer Rouge communist party during the 1970s. Jolie, who serves as producer and director, talked about her passion project in the first footage released via Youtube.
"The heart of it is Loung's story, it's the story of a war through the eyes of a child, but it is also the story of a country," Jolie said.
The devastation killed more than two million people including Ung's father, mother and two sisters. Part of Jolie's vision in creating the film was to cast only Cambodian actors to be able to achieve an accurate portrayal of the war. In fact, the actors themselves are the survivors and children of the survivors of the mass killings.
Back in 2015, Jolie shared (via Deadline) that she was deeply affected by Loung's memoir and her understanding of how the war affected children by its emotional memory. She also admits that the project drew her closer to Cambodia, the homeland of her son Maddox.
"Films like this are hard to watch but important to see," Jolie said when the project was announced to land on Netflix.
"They are also hard to get made. Netflix is making this possible, and I am looking forward to working with them and excited that the film will reach so many people."
"First They Killed My Father" joins other original Netflix films arriving on the digital platform this year. The list includes "Girlfriend's Day" starring Bob Odenkirk, "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore" starring Melanie Lynskey, "Burning Sands" starring Trevor Jackson and "Deidra & Laney Rob a Train" starring Ashleigh Murray among others.
"First They Killed My Father" will be released globally on Netflix later this year. Its world premiere will be held in Siem Reap on Feb. 18.
