‘I Was Surprised’: Salma Hayek Pinault Praises Angelina Jolie’s Director Role On Without Blood; Says She Brought Maternal Energy To Set

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As a dedicated follower of Angelina Jolie’s illustrious career, I have witnessed her transform from a captivating actress to a visionary director. Her latest film, Without Blood, showcases not only her exceptional talent but also her unparalleled ability to create an environment that feels like home for her cast and crew.

Angelina Jolie needs no introduction with her wide range of works over the years, and people have always celebrated her versatility! The actress who wrote and directed the new film Without Blood has Salma Hayek Pinault in the lead role along with Demián Bichir.  

At the Toronto International Film Festival, Hayek, who attended the PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly suite where the film was premiered on September 8, expressed that the film’s set, guided by her long-time companion Jolie, had a comfortable and familiar vibe – “it just felt like home.

She went on saying, “Even with our strong bond, I was taken aback by her warmth, generosity, and kindness as a director towards the actors. Truly remarkable!

As an ardent admirer, let me say that Hayek herself confided that she’s collaborated with numerous remarkable directors, each possessing their own sharp focus. Yet, Angelina Jolie was a league apart – she offered a distinctive touch to our filmmaking journey. I speculated that, being an actress herself, Jolie might have infused directing with a one-of-a-kind perspective, making her a truly extraordinary collaborator.

In the 2021 Marvel film Eternals, Hayek and Jolie shared the screen together. Hayek mentioned that during this time, Jolie served as something of a maternal figure to her. Similarly, in Without Blood, Jolie assumed a similar role by managing the set as if it were a family. Moreover, Hayek expressed admiration for Jolie and commended her as a wonderful mother who was always emotionally available for her children.

Furthermore, the woman aged 58 expressed that collaborating on this movie with Jolie was a transformative journey for her. She acknowledged Jolie for establishing a nurturing environment and admired her skill as a director. The esteemed actress confided that she uncovered fresh insights about herself as an actor during the production, and felt genuinely valued and recognized throughout the filming process.

I’ve had the privilege of stepping into the director’s chair before, and here are some films I’ve directed: “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (2011), “Unbroken” (2014), “By the Sea” (2015), and “First They Killed My Father” (2017).

The story in Without Blood is adapted from Alessandro Baricco’s 2002 book. In this film, Penelope Cruz plays a woman who has witnessed her family endure gruesome violence at the hands of a man, portrayed by Demián Bichir, as per the festival’s summary.

Additionally, you’ll find Angelina Jolie starring in the upcoming film “Maria,” which made its debut at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. At the same time, she graced the red carpet for the film premiere too.

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2024-09-09 10:22