Angelina Jolie is opening up about how a change in her "family situation" has impacted her career in recent years.
Jolie, who was starting to transition to behind the camera a few years back, admitted her personal life affected her ability to become a full-time director.
The 45-year-old actress recently told Entertainment Weekly, "I love directing, but I had a change in my family situation that's not made it possible for me to direct for a few years."
The actress was likely referring to the difficulties she's faced since filing for divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016.
MORE: Angelina Jolie talks about her role in ‘The One and Only Ivan’"I needed to just do shorter jobs and be home more, so I kind of went back to doing a few acting jobs," she continued. "That's really the truth of it."
The Oscar winner says that transitioning back into acting allowed her to contribute more to her movie roles, such as the thriller "Those Who Wish Me Dead," due out May 14, where she plays a woman named Hannah trying to protect a 12-year-old boy from two killers.
"In very technical terms, I'm more aware of what the director needs, and what other challenges they're facing, and how many different pieces are moving," Jolie said.
Directing also allowed her to mature further as an actress, she said.
"When you're younger and you're having a huge day where you have to be cold and wet and emotional and crying, you're thinking about those things."
MORE: Angelina Jolie and her kids enjoy the 'Dumbo' premiereJolie added, "Now you've directed and you're older, and you realize that while you are going to be freezing and crying, there's also pyrotechnics going on, or multiple other situations. It pulls you out of yourself."
Jolie's insight led her to take her young co-star, 14-year-old Finn Little, under her wing, who gushed to the outlet, "She sort of walked me through it ... she went out of her way to make me feel really accepted."
