Jolie Tries to Manage the Press at 'A Mighty Heart' Premiere

June 14, 2007 — -- It was the movie premiere of "A Mighty Heart," and its star proved she didn't have much of one when it came to the media.

Angelina Jolie was in New York Wednesday to promote her film about freedom of the press but made every effort to curtail the very theme the movie draws on.

In the movie, Jolie plays the widow of the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and killed while on assignment in Pakistan investigating the case of would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid.

According to a report on Foxnews.com, journalists were asked to sign a contract before interviewing Jolie.

Reporters reportedly were presented with an agreement drawn up by Jolie's lawyer, Robert Offer. The contract closely instructed reporters on what they could, and mostly could not, ask the starlet.

The unusual press restrictions were particularly ironic, because proceeds from the premiere were intended to support Reporters Without Borders, an organization that battles censorship and laws that undermine press freedom.

Jolie picked the wrong event to manhandle the press.

Calls to Jolie's attorney went unreturned.

Rules of Engagement

The contract barred reporters from asking "Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships. In the event Interviewer does ask Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships," it added, "Ms. Jolie will have the right to immediately terminate the interview and leave."

It further stated, "The interview may only be used to promote the Picture. In no event may Interviewer or Media Outlet be entitled to run all or any portion of the interview in connection with any other story. … The interview will not be used in a manner that is disparaging, demeaning, or derogatory to Ms. Jolie."

If that wasn't enough, the Jolie contract also advised reporters who breached the agreement that "the tape of the interview will not be released to Interviewer." Such a violation, the reporter thus agreed by signing the agreement, would "cause Jolie irreparable harm" and make it possible for her to sue the interviewer and seek a restraining order.

The press wasn't going to refrain from reporting on Jolie's attempt to manage it, Foxnews.com reported that both USA Today and The Associated Press canceled interviews with Jolie. She then scrapped print interviews altogether when she learned of their reaction.

According to Fox, Jolie took her press wrangling one step further. She told Paramount Pictures, the company behind the film, to keep Fox News and all its affiliates off the red carpet. It was only after the Paramount staff intervened that a Fox camera crew was granted a spot. This after Fox called the film "excellent."

A rep for Reporters Without Borders was unavailable for comment, but the France-based organization will most likely think twice about supporting Jolie's future endeavors. Jolie's interpretation of freedom of the press is after all, not so free.