Divya Rajagopal and Omar Yunus
TORONTO, Sep 9 — Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek thrilled movie fans at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday when the two megastars walked the red carpet for “Without Blood,” a film about the cycle of violence, revenge and memory.
The film, which is Jolie’s fifth film as director, depicts the horrors of war through an encounter between a victim and a perpetrator.
Jolie casts her close friend Hayek as her female lead. Demián Bichir, who like Hayek had starred in Mexican telenovelas before appearing in Hollywood productions, plays Jolie’s counterpart in her reflections on the effects of war.
Jolie and Hayek developed a close bond when they both appeared in Marvel Studios’ 2021 action fantasy “Eternals,” and their friendship has endured.
“This is an incredible year for Angie,” Hayek said of Jolie, who caused a stir at the Venice Film Festival last month by playing the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s “Maria.”
“Without Blood” — which Jolie adapted from Italian author Alessandro Baricco’s novel of the same name — is set in the aftermath of an undisclosed conflict.
Written, directed, and produced by Jolie and shot at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, much of the film takes place in one room, including flashback scenes.
Bichir, who was nominated for an Academy Award as “Best Actor” for his role in the 2011 film “A Better Life”, said “Without Blood” was one of the most difficult roles he has ever played.
“Now that I’ve seen the finished film, it’s a beautiful work of art,” he said, “and I’ve been able to see Salma’s growth as an artist and how she’s gotten better and better at her work with each project.”
Hayek, who began her acting career more than 30 years ago starring in the Mexican telenovela “Teresa,” is perhaps best known for playing Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in 2002’s “Frida.” More recently she has appeared in “House of Gucci” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
A general release date for “Without Blood” has not yet been confirmed. Distribution will be handled by Fremantle.
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