Angelina Jolie shares her upcoming film with Salma Hayek is about 'healing after trauma'

Demetria Osei-TutuMon, August 10, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC

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Angelina Jolie has a new film she directed coming out in the United States -Credit:Getty Images

Angelina Jolie talked about her upcoming film and what it's about.

The 51-year-old actress directed and produced a new film, based on Alessandro Baricco's novella of the same name. The book follows the aftermath of a conflict in war and tackles themes of memory, trauma, forgiveness, and healing. The drama stars Salma Hayek, Demián Bichir, and Juan Minujín.

Without Blood first premiered in the Special Presentations section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024, and was subsequently released in Italy on April 10, 2025. The film is making its theatrical run in the United States on September 18. Angelina's two sons, Maddox and Pax, worked on the film. They worked in the assistant director department as the liaison between the director and other departments.

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Angelina recently spoke to PEOPLE about her new film and offered a glimpse into it. She explained how the film is essentially about "healing after trauma" and discovering a connection through candid conversation.

"I was drawn to Alessandro Baricco's beautifully written novel because it examines universal truths about conflict, memory, and what it is to be human," The Salt actress told the outlet. "I chose to stay very true to it. My approach was to shape and edit more than to write."

Salma Hayek stars in the film -Credit:Brainstorm Media

"The film is for anyone who seeks answers and healing after trauma," Angelina added. "The book discusses how we often ‘return to where we break.’ That’s true for almost anyone. No one knows what someone else has gone through. To sit and talk with openness and honesty is a beginning."

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Angelina also spoke on working with Salma, with whom she previously collaborated on Marvel's Eternals. Both Angelina and Salma, respectively, played Thena and Ajak in the immortal superhero group.

The difference is that this time, Angelina is behind the camera and directing the 59-year-old Mexican-American actress.

Without Blood is a film adaptation of Alessandro Baricco's novella of the same name -Credit:Brainstorm Media

She described the experience as "wonderful" and how she "felt very fortunate" directing Salma, Demián, and the rest of the cast and crew, who worked incredibly hard. Angelina also spoke on how the film was "challenging" and required the actors to be "very brave and emotionally open."

The Unbroken filmmaker further gushed about Salma, saying she was so impressed by her performance and how already knowing Salma assisted in directing her.

Angelina mentioned how, despite knowing Salma, "there was so much about her as a woman and a performer I was surprised by still, and so impressed."

She additionally said that she is "excited" for the audience to see a side of the Frida star that they've never seen before.

Without Blood releases in theaters in the United States on Friday, September 18.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”