Angelina Jolie: We're not alone in the world

Los Angeles - Angelina Jolie believes people are "not alone in the world".

The 39-year-old actress-and-director began to embrace her spiritual side after getting to know Louis Zamperini - the American prisoner of war survivor and Olympian who is the subject of her film Unbroken - and becoming inspired by his journey through life.

When asked on what she had learned from Zamperini, she said: "When there is an obstacle, you have to rise to the challenge, not be overwhelmed by it. And we're not alone in the world."

The Maleficent star - who raises six children, Maddox, 13, Pax, 11, Zahara, nine, Shiloh, eight, and six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with her husband Brad Pitt - admits that while she's certain there's something "greater" than human life, she's unsure what to actually call it.

She added to PEOPLE: "I don't know if there's a name for that - religion or faith - just that there's something greater than all of us, and it's uniting and beautiful."

Jolie became close friends with Zamperini - who is portrayed by British actor Jack O'Connell in the movie - while directing the film and was heartbroken when he passed away aged 97 earlier this year.

She said at the time: "It is a loss impossible to describe. We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him. We will miss him terribly."