Without Blood
| Without Blood | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Angelina Jolie |
| Screenplay by | Angelina Jolie |
| Based on | Without Blood by Alessandro Baricco |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Seamus McGarvey |
| Edited by | Xavier Box |
| Music by | Rutger Hoedemaekers |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Fremantle |
Release date | |
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Countries | |
| Language | English |
Without Blood is a 2024 war drama film written, co-produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, and based on Alessandro Baricco's book of the same name. It stars Salma Hayek, Demián Bichir and Juan Minujín.
The film premiered in the Special Presentations section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024.
Cast
[edit]- Salma Hayek as Nina
- Demián Bichir as Tito
- Ariel Perez Lima as young Tito
- Patricio Jose as Tito 30s
- Juan Minujín as Salinas
- Angelica Pisilli as Nina 14/30
- Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt
- Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt
Production
[edit]In June 2022, it was revealed that Angelina Jolie would direct and write an adaptation based on the book titled Without Blood by Alessandro Baricco. Salma Hayek, Demián Bichir, and Juan Minujín were cast in the lead roles as Nina, Tito, and Salinas.[2] Jolie's elder sons Maddox and Pax also joined the cast.[3] Principal photography began around June in Apulia and Basilicata.[4]
Release
[edit]The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[1]
Critical reception
[edit]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 40 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[5]
IndieWire found the film mediocre, suffering from a "lack of dramatic shape" but with "good intentions", giving it a "C" grade.[6] The Wrap called it "a film with its heart in the right place yet only a faint pulse", writing "Not only does the film's conclusion then feel quite rushed, it's hard to say that everything that preceded it was patient enough either. The story Jolie is seeking to tell in Without Blood is certainly one worth telling, it's just a shame this isn’t the film to do it successfully."[7] Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter stated that the film "plays it safe" and "the story ultimately seems too thin to bear the weight of its themes."[8]
Baricco praised the film, saying that he saw "the characters I had imagined come to life. It was amazing. Meeting Angelina, her talent, her courage, and her gentle strength, has been a privilege for me. The beauty of the film preserves much of what is so special about her."[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "TIFF unveils its star-studded lineup of Galas and Special Presentations". TIFF. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Sarah (June 10, 2022). "Angelina Jolie Will Direct Eternals Co-Star Salma Hayek In New Movie". ScreenRant. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Edel, Victoria (August 17, 2022). "Angelina Jolie Says It Felt "Natural" Working With Her Sons on Upcoming Movie". PopSugar. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Twersky, Carolyn (August 17, 2022). "Everything We Know About Angelina Jolie's New Film, Without Blood". W. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ "Without Blood". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Murthi, Vikram (September 9, 2024). "'Without Blood' Review: Salma Hayek Pinault Stars in Angelina Jolie's Clumsy War Two-Hander". IndieWire. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ Hutchinson, Chase (September 9, 2024). "'Without Blood' Review: Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir Face Ghosts in Angelina Jolie's Inert Drama". TheWrap. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (September 9, 2024). "'Without Blood' Review: Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir in Angelina Jolie's Overly Cautious War Parable". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 9, 2024). "'Without Blood' Author Says Angelina Jolie Made "Characters I Had Imagined Come To Life"; Filmmaker Says "He Was Almost Challenging Me" – TIFF". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2024.