Salma Hayek Pinault is at the center of a tense revenge story in the trailer for Without Blood, the upcoming war drama written and directed by Angelina Jolie. The film stars Hayek alongside fellow Oscar nominee Demián Bichir and explores the emotional impact of violence, loss and revenge.
The newly released footage gives viewers a first look at Hayek’s character Nina, who becomes involved in a long and carefully planned attempt to take revenge after her family is brutally killed. The story takes place after an unidentified conflict and follows Nina as she deals with the painful memories of what happened to her while carrying out her plans years later.
Without Blood is based on Alessandro Baricco’s best selling novel of the same name. Jolie has written and directed the film, making it her sixth feature as a director. The project also marks her return to feature filmmaking after First They Killed My Father, which was released in 2017.
The film focuses on the effects of war and the way violence can continue to affect people long after a conflict has ended. Instead of only focusing on the action surrounding the war, the story looks at Nina’s personal journey and her decision to seek revenge for the loss of her family.
Hayek has worked with several well known directors during her career, but she has spoken especially highly of Jolie’s approach to filmmaking. The actress described Jolie as “the best actors director I’ve ever worked with.” Her comment highlights the working relationship between the two actresses as Hayek takes on a character dealing with difficult emotions and a painful past.
Bichir also plays an important role in the story, joining Hayek in the film’s central conflict. The movie is expected to explore the complicated relationship between revenge, forgiveness and the memories left behind by violence.
For Jolie, Without Blood continues her work as a filmmaker following projects that have focused on serious human stories and difficult subjects. Her earlier directorial work includes First They Killed My Father, In the Land of Blood and Honey, Unbroken, By the Sea and The Breadwinner.
Without Blood is scheduled to open in theaters on Sept. 18. The film will bring Baricco’s story of loss and retaliation to the screen through Hayek’s central performance and Jolie’s direction.