Jolie told People about her film: “I was drawn to Alessandro Baricco’s beautifully written novel because it examines universal truths about conflict, memory and what it is to be human.
“I chose to stay very true to it. My approach was to shape and edit more than to write.”
Discussing who she believes will connect with the film, Jolie said: “The film is for anyone who seeks answers and healing after trauma.
“The book discusses how we often ‘return to where we break.’ That’s true for almost anyone. No one knows what someone else has gone through. To sit and talk with openness and honesty, is a beginning.”
Jolie and Pitt separated in 2016 after being together for 12 years and married for two.
Their breakup subsequently developed into a lengthy series of legal disputes, including a battle concerning their French winery, Château Miraval.
The former couple share six children – Maddox Jolie-Pitt, 25, Pax Jolie-Pitt, 22, Zahara Jolie, 21, Shiloh Jolie, 20, and twins Knox Jolie-Pitt and Vivienne Jolie, both 18.