Angelina Jolie Directs ‘Without Blood’ With Salma Hayek
In her directorial debut, Angelina Jolie brings to life the novella ‘Without Blood’, starring Salma Hayek as Nina, a woman hunting the men who killed her family. The film blends flashbacks with present dialogue, exploring trauma and the search for closure.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Angelina Jolie has stepped behind the camera for the first time, taking on the role of writer‑director for the feature film adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s novella Without Blood. The movie stars Salma Hayek as Nina, a woman who spends her adult life hunting the three men responsible for the wartime murder of her father and brother. Two of those men are killed in revenge, while the third, Tito, played by Demián Bichir, becomes a humble newspaper kiosk clerk at a train station. The film unfolds largely as a two‑hander, with Nina and Tito sharing drinks and memories that flash back to the harrowing events of their past.
From Novella to Screen
Baricco’s novella never specifies a time or place, nor does it name the war that drives the story. The film follows that tradition, keeping the setting ambiguous to emphasize the universality of trauma. The characters speak both English and Spanish, a deliberate choice by Jolie to make the story accessible to a global audience. “I wanted anyone watching it from anywhere to identify with it,” Jolie told reporters. “Even if it wasn’t an actual war or conflict, there’s something beautiful in the book where it says, ‘We return to where we break.’”
Jolie’s history with war dramas is extensive. Her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Money (2011), dealt with the Bosnian war, while Unbroken (2014) chronicled American POWs in World War II. In 2017 she directed First They Killed My Father, a biopic of Cambodian author Loung Ung, which highlighted the lasting effects of the Khmer Rouge regime. In each film, Jolie has explored how individuals process grief and seek closure after unimaginable loss.
Hayek’s Take on the Role
Salma Hayek admitted she was initially hesitant to accept the part. “I was afraid that I couldn’t play this part, and also I was afraid to go so far every day at work and go into this really difficult place,” she said during a joint interview with Jolie. She added that she had been unsure whether Jolie was directing or producing, but once the director explained the film’s emotional depth, she felt compelled to join the project. “I’m like, ‘Oh no, I don’t want to suffer like that. I don’t want to.’” Hayek concluded that Jolie’s direction was “extraordinary.”
The film’s dialogue-heavy structure allows both actors to delve deeply into their characters’ psyches. The scenes where Nina and Tito sit together over drinks are punctuated by flashbacks that illustrate the violence and loss that shaped them. The result is a slow‑burn narrative that prioritizes character over spectacle, a hallmark of Jolie’s storytelling style.
Collaboration and Future Projects
Jolie and Hayek first met on the set of Marvel’s Eternals five years ago, where they co‑starred. Their partnership has since grown beyond the screen. Jolie will serve as a producer on Hayek’s directorial debut, Arena, an epic romantic adventure that the actress also wrote. “In a way, she’s my partner,” Hayek said. “I’ve written two different scripts with two different pens that she gave me. It’s a really good, enriching and artistic relationship. That is hard to find. It’s such a gift.”
When asked about directing lighter material, Jolie admitted she has a “dark sense of humor.” She joked that while she might not excel at comedy, she enjoys the creative process. Hayek teased that they have fantasized about making comedies together, but the current focus remains on emotionally resonant storytelling.
What Comes Next
With its theatrical release already underway, Without Blood is poised to spark conversations about the long‑term effects of war and the human need for closure. Critics and audiences alike will be watching to see how Jolie’s directorial vision translates the novella’s ambiguous setting into a cinematic experience that feels both intimate and universal.
As the film continues to circulate, it is expected to generate discussion about how trauma is processed across cultures and languages, especially given the bilingual dialogue and the film’s lack of a specific historical backdrop. The story’s core message—that healing often requires confronting the past—remains as relevant today as ever.
Key facts
- Jolie directs her first feature, adapting Baricco’s novella
- Hayek portrays Nina, a woman hunting her family’s killers
- The film uses bilingual dialogue to reach a wide audience
- Jolie’s previous war dramas inform her storytelling
- Hayek and Jolie collaborate on future projects
- The film explores trauma and the search for healing
Why it matters
The film marks Angelina Jolie’s first time directing, offering a fresh perspective on war trauma and the quest for closure, themes that resonate globally.
Frequently asked questions
What is the plot of 'Without Blood'?
It follows Nina, who seeks out the men who murdered her father and brother during a war, confronting them and dealing with the aftermath.
Who directed and starred in the film?
Angelina Jolie wrote and directed the film, with Salma Hayek playing the lead role.
Is the film based on a true story?
It is an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s novella, which is fictional.
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek Pinault on Their New Film ‘Without Blood’ and Spending ‘A Lot of Time Talking About Our Pain, Our Losses, Our Traumas’”
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