Angelina Jolie is making a major comeback, and she’s not doing it quietly! Not only is she captivating everyone with her upcoming Maria Callas Netflix biopic, but she’s also directing a film adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s novel, Without Blood. Featuring Salma Hayek, the movie promises a powerful story of revenge and healing set against the backdrop of war.
Angelina Jolie in and as Maria Credits: Netflix
Jolie recently shared that even the book’s author had reservations about whether the film would ever see the light of day. But with Jolie at the helm, nothing is impossible.
How Angelina Jolie Defied the Odds to Bring Without Blood to Life When the Author Had Given Up
Angelina Jolie’s latest film adaptation, based on the 2002 novel, Without Blood, follows a young girl’s experience during wartime, diving deep into themes of trauma, and healing. Jolie penned the script herself, but such ambitious projects often face tough odds in Hollywood.
Even Alessandro Baricco, who authored the original novel, expressed concerns about the film’s future, knowing how dedicated Jolie was to faithfully representing his work. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Jolie revealed that Baricco had even warned her about the potential difficulties ahead. She said,
I tried to stick really close to the book. So much so that the writer actually said to me, “You’re never going to get this made. They will try to force you to change the end. They will try to force you to define a place and time.”
The film unfolds in a deliberately vague setting, with an unspecified war, to highlight how conflict affects human lives universally. By keeping the details non-specific, it underscores that the devastating impact of war is not confined to any one place or time, it could be happening anywhere. This is done to amplify the story’s message and prove that the anguish and resilience depicted are applicable to any corner of the world. Jolie further added,
That was intentional. The writer wrote it to say, this could be anywhere. OK, now [the war] is all over and here we sit and did it add up to anything? Did it change the world? Was there a winner? What has it done to our lives?
Even though the film is still in production, it’s already generating a lot of excitement, thanks in part to its impressive roster of talent, including two of Jolie’s own children. The buzz surrounding the project is through the roof, people already have high expectations.
Angelina Jolie Returns to the Director’s Chair for the Fifth Time
The film features Demián Bichir and Salma Hayek. Having previously collaborated with Hayek, Jolie knew she had to include her in this project. She revealed in a People magazine interview,
Salma and Demián are very authentic and brave in this film, I had been a fan of their work. I knew they would bring solid commitment and craft to the film but honestly, they both blew me away
Salma Hayek in Eternals Credits: Marvel Entertainment
On the flip side, Hayek also reflected on her experience working with Jolie, who is returning to the director’s chair for the fifth time. Hayek praised Jolie, claiming she is the best director she’s ever had the pleasure of working with. She said in a new issue with People,
It was a tough film to do,–And then somehow, it was a joy to suffer so much [because]…she was shockingly good.
The film, which began shooting this summer in the stunning locales of Puglia and Basilicata, will feature Hayek and Demián in yet-to-be-revealed roles, alongside a predominantly international cast.
Excitement is building as the film is set to debut at the Toronto Film Festival, and movie lovers are eagerly awaiting its release.
