Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek Pinault Discuss ‘Without Blood’ and Processing Trauma

Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek Pinault recently sat down to discuss their new film, “Without Blood,” delving into the heavy emotional subject matter and the deep bond they formed while making the movie. The drama, which is written and directed by Jolie, features Hayek Pinault as Nina, a woman whose adult life is defined by a quest for vengeance against the men who killed her father and brother during a war. While her revenge is successful in two instances, the situation becomes complicated when she encounters the third conspirator, Tito, portrayed by Demián Bichir, who now works at a train station newsstand.

The narrative unfolds primarily through long conversations between Nina and Tito over drinks, interspersed with flashbacks to their difficult pasts. Hayek Pinault admitted that she initially hesitated to take on such a demanding role. She revealed that she originally believed Jolie was only producing the project and not directing it, fearing the intense emotional labor required. However, after Jolie explained her vision for the piece, Hayek Pinault recognized her as an exceptional director and agreed to join the cast.

Jolie emphasized that the story is designed to be universally relatable. Adapted from a novella by Italian author Alessandro Baricco, the film intentionally avoids specifying a particular time, place, or conflict. The characters speak both English and Spanish to further this sense of ambiguity. Jolie noted that the core theme revolves around the idea that individuals often return to the point where they were broken by past events. She explained that the film explores the universal desire to confront those who caused pain, seek closure, and find healing, even if that resolution does not always materialize as hoped.

This project follows a pattern in Jolie’s directorial career, which includes war-themed films such as “In the Land of Blood and Money,” “Unbroken,” and “First They Killed My Father.” Reflecting on her previous work, Jolie highlighted the importance of community and support on set. She recalled that during the filming of “First They Killed My Father,” trauma therapy tents were provided for actors who had experienced real-life conflict. For “Without Blood,” the process involved extensive discussion among the cast and crew about their personal pain, losses, and traumas, which Jolie described as a deeply healing experience.

The collaboration marks a continued partnership between the two actresses, who first appeared together five years ago in the Marvel film “Eternals.” Their professional relationship extends beyond acting; Jolie is set to produce Hayek Pinault’s directorial debut, “Arena,” a romantic adventure script written by Hayek Pinault. Describing Jolie as a partner, Hayek Pinault praised their artistic connection, calling it a rare and valuable gift.

When the conversation turned to potential lighter projects, Hayek Pinault revealed that they have jokingly fantasized about making a comedy together. Jolie laughed, noting her own dark sense of humor, but conceded that she is unsure if she would be effective at directing a comedy. She suggested that while she excels at playing straight man, there are many other actors better suited for comedic roles. “Without Blood” is currently playing in theaters.