"First They Killed My Father" author Loung Ung has nothing but praises for Angelina Jolie's teenage boys, Maddox, 15, and Pax, 13. They were present on the set of the movie production based on the book and Ung saw how they related to the other children.
Maddox and Pax assisted their mom behind the scenes as part of the production crew as she directed this passion project for Netflix. They shot the film in Cambodia among plenty of kids since Ung's story is about her experiences as a child struggling during the Khmer Rouge rule in the country in the '70s.
"I have watched the young people grow into really kind, empathetic, curious human beings," Ung said of Jolie's boys, according to People. "Pax is a talented photographer and Mad is so kind and generous," she added, citing that the other kids on the set regard Maddox as the "big brother."
Maddox and Pax made the kids comfortable since work on the set were long and rigorous. The author said that the work environment while filming "First They Killed My Father" was like a family.
Ung and Jolie met years before the Hollywood star decided to turn the book into a film. Ung and her siblings who survived the oppression entrusted Jolie with their story out of love and respect for the actress.
Meanwhile, at the movie's premiere in Cambodia, Jolie addressed the crowd by thanking them for Maddox, who was born in the country. "Without Cambodia, I may never have become a mother," Jolie said, Vanity Fair reports.
"Part of my heart is and will always be in this country. And part of this country is always with me: Maddox," she added. Jolie said she was interested in Ung's book because it helped her understand Maddox's parents and ancestors.
