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Salma Hayek Pinault Reflects on Her Reluctance to Star in Angelina Jolie’s Without Blood and the Journey to Acceptance
09
Sep
Sep
Salma Hayek Pinault‘s journey to accepting the emotionally taxing role of Nina in Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial project, Without Blood, was one filled with hesitation, self-reflection, and ultimately, trust in Jolie’s vision. The acclaimed actress admitted that, initially, she did not want to take on the character, fearing the deep emotional scars it would reopen. However, it was Jolie’s persistence and belief in her talent that eventually convinced Hayek to embrace the challenging role.
Speaking candidly at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hayek shared her early doubts about starring in the adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s novel Without Blood. “I didn’t want to do the movie. I didn’t want to be Nina,” Hayek revealed during her interview with Entertainment Weekly. Her reluctance stemmed from a place of emotional self-preservation. “I didn’t want to go to the places that she’s been, emotionally. It’s taken so many years for me to get to a place in my life where I’m really happy. I don’t want to go suffer for weeks and weeks.”
At its core, Without Blood explores themes of trauma, survival, and revenge. The story revolves around Nina, a woman caught in a brutal conflict and driven by subtle vengeance over the murder of her family. Hayek’s hesitation came from the sheer intensity of the role and the emotional toll it would inevitably take. “You have to be on the edge of complete breakdown for the entire movie, and never break down,” she explained, emphasizing the delicate balance the character required. “There’s not a lot of action happening. If for one second you are not there, it is going to be very clear.”
Despite her reservations, Jolie was adamant that Hayek was the right choice for the role. The actress admitted that it took “a lot of long conversations” for Jolie to convince her to step into Nina’s shoes. It wasn’t a decision that Hayek made lightly, and it wasn’t until she began processing the source of her resistance that she realized the character’s significance.
“I realized that even though this character is in a very different circumstance, I was afraid to relive personal trauma that is completely different,” Hayek confessed. In many ways, her reluctance stemmed from her own past experiences with emotional pain and trauma. “I think all of us women can identify some of our trauma to it. Being tossed aside. Men always making the important decisions in your life and having sometimes no choice but to go along with it. Being paralyzed by having your power taken away from a really young age. Having trauma and not knowing how to come out of it.”
In Nina’s journey of revenge and healing, Hayek saw a reflection of her own life and the broader struggles faced by many women. The character’s emotional arc, while rooted in a specific story, resonated with universal themes of strength, resilience, and reclaiming power. “And then finding the strength out of hate and anger,” she added, noting that understanding Nina’s transformation helped her overcome her initial reluctance. “So I understood the importance of this character beyond the circumstances of the movie.”
While playing Nina was undoubtedly one of the most challenging roles of her career, Hayek found solace in Jolie’s unwavering support as a director. She described Jolie as “the best actors director I’ve ever worked with,” noting that her empathy and insight made a world of difference during the production. “She knew I was the right actress. I didn’t even know I was the right actress at the moment,” Hayek said, acknowledging the depth of trust she placed in Jolie’s vision.
The relationship between the two women went beyond the typical director-actor dynamic. Hayek spoke of Jolie’s rare willingness to be there for her cast, emotionally and physically. “I knew that I could call my director at three in the morning in absolute despair,” she shared. Jolie’s commitment to her actors was evident in the way she cared for their well-being, both on and off the set. “If [it] meant she came over there in the middle of the night and held me, that’s what she would do.”
Jolie’s role as a director was not only about guiding the actors through their performances but also creating an environment of trust and emotional safety. This marks Jolie’s sixth directorial effort, following films such as In the Land of Blood and Honey, Unbroken, and First They Killed My Father. Her track record of tackling heavy, emotionally charged narratives has cemented her reputation as a filmmaker who is unafraid to explore difficult subjects.
In Without Blood, both Hayek and Jolie demonstrate their deep understanding of the human condition, trauma, and the complex ways in which individuals navigate pain and healing. Hayek’s portrayal of Nina is expected to be a powerful testament to the actress’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength simultaneously—a testament to Jolie’s belief in her.
The collaboration between these two icons highlights the importance of trust in the creative process. While Hayek may have initially resisted the role, her eventual acceptance is a reminder that sometimes, the most difficult journeys yield the most profound results. As Without Blood prepares for its release, audiences will have the opportunity to witness a performance that came from a place of raw emotion, vulnerability, and ultimately, personal growth.
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