Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek are powerhouse actresses who have given some of the best performances in the 21st century. Hayek’s Frida and Jolie’s Changeling contain two of the best dramatic works in their respective careers. They got to work together in the MCU film Eternals.
Although their characters are not on screen together much in the film, the two actresses got very close during the shooting of the film. They have become very close friends and also a fan of each other’s works. Jolie even brought in Hayek to star in her upcoming film.
The two powerhouses are working together once again, with Jolie in the director’s chair and Hayek leading her film Without Blood. Hayek recently reflected on her experiences making the film and the exceptional talent and skill Jolie has as a director.
Salma Hayek Calls Angelina Jolie A Talented Genius
Salma Hayek is starring in Angelina Jolie‘s upcoming drama film Without Blood, based on the novel of the same name by Alessandro Baricco. Hayek recently sat down with Deadline and talked about her experience working on the film. She called Jolie an exceptional talent and the best director she’s ever worked with. She further sang praises of her good friend to Deadline saying,
“We just finished it. Angelina is the best director I’ve ever worked with. I absolutely loved working with her; enjoyed every second of it. It’s a tough piece but it was so delicious to come to work every single day. She is a genius and I think this might be her best movie yet. She did an amazing job, really. I was completely blown away by her mind, her dedication, her technical knowledge, and her control of every aspect, as well as her vision which is so clear.
She is so good with the actors, so passionate, and so focused. But most of all, I was blown away by her kindness to every single person on the set. I talked about this with my co-star Demián Bichir and we were saying, ‘Wow, she’s really something.’”
It seems Hayek is in awe of her good friend’s vision and creativity as a director. Jolie has shown her skillful duties as a director with her films First They Killed My Father, and Unbroken. Hence, the comments made by Hayek come as no surprise. It must also be a refreshing experience for both of them to work together on something different and intense than their previous collaboration.
Alessandro Baricco’s Book had a Profound Impact on Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie’s upcoming film Without Blood is an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s book of the same name. The book had a profound impact on Jolie and she instantly decided that this was going to be her next directorial venture. She talked about her experience reading the book to Variety saying,
“I read it right as I was going through the beginning of a very dark time in my life. I read it in the month that followed my divorce. It had the effect on me that it’s had on so many people. I didn’t understand that when I first read it. I just knew the book had a profound effect on me. I think it’s one of those pieces of art, of somebody’s intuition and mind, that puts something forward that has so much truth in it about who we are as people.”
Jolie also says that the casting process came very rapidly and organically with Salma Hayek being her first and only choice for the film’s lead. The film, like the book, will explore a nuanced portrayal of the human condition and their behavior amidst harrowing times.
