LOS ANGELES — Set in the aftermath of an unidentified conflict, “Without Blood” explores universal truths about war, trauma, memory and healing.
Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie wrote and directed the film, and it is based on the book of the same title by renowned Italian writer Alessandro Baricco.
“Without Blood” was made to invite the audience to join the conversation about what it is to be human, to listen and question and to return to the place where one was broken.
“Maybe it will help us to give each other more grace… to remember that everyone has something,” Jolie told Spectrum News. “Unless we have taken the time to sit there and listen and explain ourselves, also, we can’t assume to know and we can’t really grow.”
When Jolie first approached Baricco about adapting his book, he told her his work would be difficult to adapt because studios, he believed, would push her to change the ending and define the country the film is based in — make the film more simplistic for the audience.
“I told him I really wanted to try and hold… because I think the audience… more of the audience, they want a different kind of films, but when you sit with something like this, you want it to be something you lean into and think about instead of [being] spoon fed,” said Jolie.
“Without Blood” stars Academy Award nominees Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir as Nina and Tito.
For Hayek, the film is about going back to that place, that moment, with the person who broke you.
“So many people refuse to say I am sorry or mean it… they are just in a defense mode trying to pretend that nothing happened to you… nothing was done to you,” Hayek told Spectrum News. “It is so important to talk about it. If you hurt someone, you should say I am sorry, even if you didn’t mean it. To be able to hear that… it’s such a privilege.”
Speaking to Spectrum News, Bichir told Spectrum News that working with Jolie as a film director on “Without Blood” meant you had to be, as an actor, ready for anything. He described making the film as mystical because of Jolie’s directing and Hayek’s acting. Bachir described Jolie as brave, clear and sharp as a director.
“Angelina’s set was like a church type of feeling,” he said. “It was a place where you could meditate. It was a place where you could go to your happy place and be safe. Where you could fall off a cliff and be safe.”
The majority of “Without Blood” takes place in a small restaurant, at a table with two people having a conversation.
“That was the biggest challenge I have ever encountered as an actor, ever,” said Bichir.
He said the ability to grab people’s attention with just two actors talking was possible because of Jolie’s direction and because of Hayek’s work.
“You need a good team player that can send you the ball back… stronger, sharper, better… that’s Salma,” Bichir said. “Salma has grown and grown throughout time. Every time she is better and better, and this is a great example of that.”
“Without Blood” is now playing in theaters.
Click the video above to watch the full interview with the cast and film director.
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