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Behind the Scenes: Jolie takes uproar in stride

  • Story Highlights
  • Angelina Jolie has handled uproar about pregnancy news in stride
  • "Kung Fu Panda" co-star Jack Black revealed Jolie was having twins
  • Jolie says she's happy she could now be open about the pregnancy
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By Brooke Anderson
CNN Entertainment Correspondent
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In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events. CNN's Brooke Anderson reports on the Cannes Film Festival in southern France.

Angelina Jolie responds to questions at the "Kung Fu Panda" after-party.

CANNES, France (CNN) -- Angelina Jolie is the talk of the Cannes Film Festival.

Not because of her films. No, the assembled media have been in a dither since her "Kung Fu Panda" co-star Jack Black let the news slip that she is expecting twins.

Angelina has taken it all in stride and has since slowly shared bits of information about her pregnancy. She revealed at a press conference she is considering giving birth to the twins here in France. She said French is a second language in her home and that her kids are learning to speak it, so being in this country at this time is good for her family.

The actress and activist also assured worried foreign journalists that the festival hasn't been too strenuous in her condition.

I attended the "Panda" premiere after-party Thursday night at the Carlton Beach Pier, where I spoke to Angelina.

She told me she had kept the news of the twins a secret for so long because she was just like any other woman and wanted to wait until after a certain point in her pregnancy to talk about it. No word yet from her on the sex of the twins, nor if she and her partner Brad Pitt have names picked out.

She did say she was happy she could now be open about the pregnancy. I wonder if she's genuinely relieved or just being nice so Jack Black doesn't feel terrible about letting the cat out of the bag.

(By the way, Angelina was very patient with one correspondent who asked her if she had prepared for her role in "Kung Fu Panda" with martial arts training, ignoring the fact that the animated film only required her voice. Angelina responded she had not for this movie, but had in the past for "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider". Ahhh, Cannes ...)

Speaking of Jack Black, he told me he feels badly about accidentally spilling the beans, but that he already knew what everybody knew, laughingly saying he had "read it in the National Enquirer or something." He also struck a few kung fu poses on the carpet for our entertainment.

Their co-star Dustin Hoffman, whom I always love speaking to because he is grounded and easy-going, seemed a bit baffled by the intense attention. "She's pregnant! It's as simple as that," he exclaimed.

I responded that countless women have done it in the past, to which he said, "Yes, and many will do it in the future."

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True, Dustin, but few expectant mothers will garner the same over-the-top attention Angelina is receiving. It may be inexplicable, but that's showbiz.

Next up for Angelina: She will be promoting "Changeling" here at Cannes. It's a movie from Clint Eastwood in which she plays a mother whose son is kidnapped.

All About Cannes

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