Asian Influences in Angelina Jolie's new life

Angelina Jolie says her UN Goodwill Ambassadorship and both Lara Croft Tomb Raider movies opened her eyes to the world.

A mother of an adopted son from Cambodia, she talks about her new life with Maddox, and homes in Cambodia and in London.

Angelina Jolie says her role as UN Goodwill Ambassador and globe-trotting experiences in her two Lara Croft Tomb Raider movies have changed her outlook on life.

The Paramount Pictures' Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life stars Angelina Jolie with Gerard Butler, with supporting roles from two of Asias top actors Simon Yam and Terence Yin.

AsianConnections' Steve Joe, Marissa Becker and Suzanne Kai caught up with Angelina, as well as supporting stars Terence Yin and Hong Kong's legendary Simon Yam at the movie's world premiere.

Steve talked with both Terence and Simon in exclusive interviews.

Click here to Steve's chat with Simon Yam and here to Steve's chat with Terence Yin

Read more below as studio cameras captured Angelina talking about the Asian influences in her life.

Q: What were your memorable moments working on location in Asia?:

Angelina: Cambodia was really the first time I had ever been to Asia and it had a profound effect on me because I wasnt taught the history of that area in school and I thought I should have been. And I realized there is so much about Asia and Asian culture and history that I wanted to know about.

And since then I have gone back with the UN and adopted a son from the area and have a home in Cambodia, and hes learning Khmer [language] and I will be learning Khmer.

To go back and to go to Hong Kong was amazing and I think one of the most remarkable places in the world. And I loved visiting the temples and loved sitting at the window with Maddox watching the helicopters and looking at the buildings.

Q: What was it like to work with actors Simon Yam and Terence Yin?:

Angelina: I love them! Terence is so wonderful and such a great man. Maddox loved him and I think Maddox wouldnt let him go. Anytime Maddox saw him, he was obsessed with Terence.

And Simon Yam is truly one of the most charismatic people youll ever meet in your life. I cant say enough good things about him. He was so great to work with and so fun to have on set, and I hope to do more things with him.

Q: Have you seen any Chinese films and do you have any Chinese directors youd like to work with?

Angelina: I havent seen many films. I saw some of Simons films that I thought were great. But there are many, and I would hope to see more. We dont often get asked to be a part of films from other countries, and I would love it if I were asked to be part of a film with a Chinese director and [the film] based there. So I hope I am asked!

Q: Can you tell us about your work with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees?

Angelina: Ive been traveling for the last three years and the last two Ive been goodwill ambassador.

I initially set out because I wanted to learn about whats going on in the world and wanted to become a better person and simply educate myself. When I found I could be useful in communicating what I had learned and maybe inspire other people to educate themselves and do some good, it made me so happy and gave me a sense of purpose.

Ive learned more about life from refugees and people that are the survivors from around the world than anywhere else. I admire them. Ive learned about family and just respect them so much and have seen so many horrible things and seen so much survival and so much beauty in these people.

So theyve changed my life and I hope to keep working with them and do what I can to raise awareness.

Q: Has the sequel changed in ways that may please film critics?

Angelina: I think it is a very good film. I think the first one wasnt a solid film. It had a lot of great aspects to it, and it was fun. But this one I think is a really solid adventure. It has strong themes and weve made some strong choices.

I think the character is better and I think the relationships are certainly better. I do think the critics willwell who knows what the critics will think, but I think its better.

Q: How does your own personality compare with the personality of Lara Croft, the character that you play in the movie?

Angelina: Her sense of adventure, her love of other countries and other cultures, her willingness to fight for what she believes in. Thats very similar to both of us.

Q: How will you introduce your adopted Cambodian son Maddox to his heritage?

Angelina: Thats why we do have a house in Cambodia. Weve been there three times since hes been adopted. We spend a lot of time there. And Im learning about Buddhism and Im teaching him what I can. He spent a lot of time in temples with monks and hes learning.