Angelina Jolie’s ‘Unbroken’ To Begin Shooting In Australia; ‘Tomb Raider’ Actress To Receive Academy’s Governors Award Along With Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin and Piero Tosi

Angelina Jolie is to receive an Honorary Award from The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, scheduled to take place on November 16 at the Academy's Fifth Annual Governors Awards.  Along with Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin and Piero Tosi, the 38-year old actress, film director, screenwriter, and licensed pilot is being recognized for her contribution to her field.

According to Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, as quoted in the press release published by the award-giving body, "The Governors Awards pay tribute to individuals who've made indelible contributions in their respective fields.  We couldn't be more excited for this year's honorees and look forward to bringing their peers and colleagues together to celebrate their extraordinary achievements."

Not only is "Lara Croft" known for her sultry image, versatility as an actor, award-winning performances, and media-attracting family; she is also recognized as an advocate of humanitarian causes.  She was named as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, and has held the rank of Special Envoy to High Commissioner António Guterres since 2012.

The Academy's press release further states:

Jolie, who won an Oscar for her supporting performance in "Girl, Interrupted," has been an impassioned advocate for humanitarian causes, traveling widely to promote organizations and social justice efforts such as the Prevent Sexual Violence Initiative.  Staking out a career at the nexus of entertainment and philanthropy, Jolie has worked for a number of global advocacy groups including the Council on Foreign Relations and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), for which she was appointed Special Envoy of High Commissioner António Guterres in 2012 after twelve years of service.  Her dedication to these causes has also shaped her work in films that tackle global humanitarian issues including "A Mighty Heart" and her feature film directorial debut "In the Land of Blood and Honey."

Currently, Jolie is in Australia for the filming of "Unbroken," which she will direct.  The film is about the true-to-life World War II experiences of Louis Zamperini (now 96 years old), a former Olympic track athlete who survived for 47 days in the Pacific after his plane crashed.  He was later held by the Japanese for two years as a prisoner of war.  The script, rewritten by Joel and Ethan Coen, is based on the biography "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" written by Laura Hillenbrand.

Sydney Morning Herald quoted Jolie's statement in July, "I've had the privilege of spending a great deal of time with Louie Zamperini, who is a hero of mine, and now - I am proud to say - a dear friend. I am deeply honoured to be telling his extraordinary story, and I will do my absolute best to give him the film he deserves."

Meanwhile, Jolie's upcoming movie, "Maleficent" is now in post-production and will be shown in theatres on July 2, 2014.