Without Blood is adapted from the novel of the same name by Italian author Alessandro Baricco. Angelina Jolie directed and also produced the film. The movie explores themes of memory and trauma, with the story set in the early 20th century. Salma Hayek plays Nina. Official trailer of Without Blood was just released on YouTube on August 17th.
The 2-minute 4-second trailer opens with a conversation between Nina and Tito, played by Demián Bichir. As Nina reminisces about the past, the story shifts to events that occurred during the war.
Angelina Jolie spoke with and tried to persuade Salma Hayek to take on the challenging role in Without Blood.
Photo: Reuters
Salma Hayek talks about Angelina Jolie.
Sharing her thoughts on the film, Angelina Jolie said she was captivated by the beautifully written novel by Alessandro Baricco. The actress and director told People : "I chose to stay true to the work. My approach was more about shaping and editing than rewriting."
In the film, Nina searches for the person she believes is responsible for her family's death. The character is determined to confront her past to find the answers she has been pursuing for years. Salma Hayek also had high praise for her experience working with Angelina Jolie. "Having the opportunity to work with director Angelina Jolie on Without Blood was an incredibly meaningful and valuable experience for me," the actress shared with Variety .
According to the synopsis from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the story of Without Blood takes place in a frontier region at the beginning of the 20th century. A group of gunmen arrive at a remote farm with the intention of revenge. Their target is a doctor living with his son and daughter. The desperate father tries everything to protect his children, but ultimately, the bullets are fired.
Years later, Nina unexpectedly strikes up a conversation with Tito, a lottery ticket vendor at his stall. However, this seemingly chance encounter was actually pre-arranged. Tito quickly recognizes the woman's identity. As the conversation continues, the past gradually unfolds. Revenge has cast a shadow over the characters' lives for years and may manifest itself in various forms.
Previously, Salma Hayek revealed to Entertainment Weekly that she didn't want to be in Without Blood , and didn't even want to play the character Nina: "I didn't want to be in this movie. I didn't want to be Nina. I didn't want to have to deal with the emotional trauma she went through. So I told Angie that I didn't want to play this character. I really didn't want to. It was too painful."
The actress said she had spent years building a life that truly made her happy and didn't want to have to endure prolonged feelings of suffering during filming.
Beyond her film career, Salma Hayek's personal life has also garnered significant attention, particularly her long-term marriage to French businessman François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of the Kering Group, which owns renowned brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. The couple began dating in 2006 and welcomed their daughter, Valentina Paloma, in 2007, before marrying in Paris on Valentine's Day in 2009.
After many years together, Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault maintain a relationship that the actress has repeatedly described as full of love and respect. In 2018, the couple renewed their marriage in Bora Bora, solidifying their long-standing relationship. The 60-year-old beauty once called the French billionaire "the best husband in the world ," and said she feels she can be herself when she's with him and isn't limited in any way.