Angelina Jolie became emotional Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival while reflecting on the death of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, and offering advice to people supporting loved ones with cancer.
During a Q&A following a screening of Jolie’s new film, Couture, a member of the audience who had recently lost a friend to cancer asked the cast for a message of “hope” for those still grieving. "I’m very sorry for your loss," Jolie said, her voice breaking, before recalling a remark her mother made while she was ill: "All anybody ever asks me about is cancer." Jolie, 50, said that reminder shaped how she believes people should support those who are unwell or bereaved.
"If you know someone who is going through something, ask them about everything else in their life as well, you know? They’re a whole person and they’re still living," she said. The remark drew audible reaction from the audience and underscored a recurring theme in Jolie’s public comments about loss and caregiving.
Marcheline Bertrand, an actress and producer, was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and later with breast cancer. She died in January 2007. Jolie has previously written and spoken about how her mother’s illness and death affected her, including an essay published in the New York Times in 2020 in which she described losing her mother as like someone "rip[ping] away a protective blanket."
Six years after Bertrand’s death, Jolie underwent a double mastectomy after learning she had a high risk of developing breast cancer. The actor and humanitarian has spoken about the medical decisions she made in the context of family history and risk, and has used public platforms to discuss grief and resilience.
Bertrand and actor Jon Voight were the parents of Jolie and her brother James Haven. The couple divorced shortly after Jolie’s birth. Jolie has continued to reference her mother’s influence on her life and work while promoting Couture at the festival.
Couture is among several projects Jolie has brought to festivals in recent years as she balances filmmaking with family life and advocacy. Her comments Sunday joined a series of public reflections in which she has urged people to consider the full lives of those facing illness, rather than focusing solely on disease.
The TIFF appearance added a personal note to a promotional tour, drawing attention from festival attendees and press to Jolie’s message about how friends, family and strangers can offer more meaningful support to people living with and beyond cancer.