Angelina Jolie breaks down paying tribute to late mother who inspired her to play latest role

Angelina Jolie broke down in tears at a London press conference yesterday as she paid tribute to her late mother.

The Oscar-winning actress grew teary-eyed as she recalled how difficult she found it to play a mother in her latest film The Changeling, which was filmed shortly after her mum Marcheline Bertrand died in January 2007.

Fighting back the tears, Angelina said: 'Her name was Marcheline, but we used to call her Marshmallow, as a joke, because she was just the softest, most gentle woman in the world.
'She was really sweet and was never angry - she couldn't swear to save her life. But when it came to her kids, she was really fierce and so this (film) is very much her, her story.

'She was the woman I related to, who had that elegance and strength for knowing what was right.'

Angelina and her partner Brad Pitt flew in from the U.S. to the capital this week to promote her latest film.

It appeared the strain of their busy schedule and roles as parents to six children were getting to the glamorous couple, who looked visibly tired last night.
Arriving for the press conference last night, the exhausted looking film stars dressed down for the occasion.

They looked preoccupied as they posed for photographers, perhaps thinking about their six young children, including baby twins Vivienne and Knox who stayed behind with a nanny at Claridge's hotel.

During the conference the pressure of her work seemed to be getting to Angelina, who became tearful as she paid tribute to her mother.

Angelina was devastated when Marcheline lost her battle with ovarian cancer last year.

Six weeks later, Angelina adopted Vietnamese son Pax Thien, and went on to give birth to twins Knox and Vivienne in France in July.

In The Changeling directed by Clint Eastwood, Angelina plays a mother in 1920s Los Angeles whose son is kidnapped.

When her child is returned to her, she quickly realises that the boy is not her own.

The character highlights the corruption of the Los Angeles Police Department and challenges the police after refusing to have such injustice forced upon her.

Angelina also hinted that she may slowly move away from acting and continue expanding her family.

She said: 'I have a big family and a lot of responsibility at home, and I have the good fortune financially not to have to work all the time, and I just feel privileged that I get to be home a lot. Maybe eventually I'll stop (acting).'

And when asked if the public could expect her to expand her family again, she replied: 'Sure you can.'
Jolie said the role had especially appealed to her as it was an 'inspirational and true story'.

'When I first read the script I just couldn't put it down, but then I said no, I'm leaving it,' she said.

'I didn't want to get involved with the project because it was too upsetting. But then I couldn't stop talking about her (character).

'I found myself sitting with people and wanting them to know about this extraordinary woman.'

The 33-year-old also praised director Eastwood and said she had always wanted to work with him.

She added: 'He is a really good man. He is one of those very fair, strong leaders.'