The Unbroken filmmaker will be behind the camera for First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers.

The movie is based on Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung's tale of surviving the notorious Khmer Rouge regime.

Jolie, a United Nations ambassador, will also produce the film, which will be released on movie streaming site Netflix in late 2016.

The actress says, "I was deeply affected by Loung's book. It deepened forever my understanding of how children experience war and are affected by the emotional memory of it. And it helped me draw closer still to the people of Cambodia, my son's homeland.

"It is a dream come true to be able to adapt this book for the screen, and I'm honoured to work alongside Loung and filmmaker Rithy Panh."

Jolie and Brad Pitt's son Maddox, who was born in Cambodia, will also be involved in the production of the movie.