Angelina Jolie wants her children to have a "strong work ethic".

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie

The 42-year-old actress worked alongside her 16-year-old son Maddox and 13-year-old son Pax on 'First They Killed My Father', which the raven-haired beauty also directed, and the star has admitted it was a "joy" for her to have her children on board the production as she was filled with pride when she looked over and saw how involved they were in the production, which she hopes is a trait that will stay with them forever.

Speaking to 'Entertainment Tonight Canada' about her colleagues and children, Angelina - who also has Shiloh, 11, Zahara, 12, as well as Knox and Vivienne, both nine - said: "It was a joy. I want them to have a strong work ethic. When I looked over and I saw [Maddox] and Pax working with the other crew [...] it was just wonderful."

And the 'Salt' star believes the setting of the movie, which was filmed in Cambodia where Maddox was born, has helped her first child to "grow and evolve".

She continued: "I think [that] helped him to grow and evolve in a way that I couldn't do myself. His country had to teach him."

Not only does Angelina think the backdrop of the movie has educated her son, but she also hopes the entire movie, which depicts the life of a human rights activist and child soldier who fights in the Cambodian genocide, will open the eyes of her audience to the suffering the "Cambodian family" endured and their "beautiful culture".

She explained: "I hope that when people see this film, they don't see the war and the suffering, but they really get to know a Cambodian family and a beautiful culture."

And the 'Maleficent' beauty has revealed now her children are getting older it has taken the strain off of her, especially when it comes to packing for a trip away.

She said: "Packing for me is like a military exercise. They're getting older now, so the older ones help the younger ones, and actually they're quite efficient."