Directed by Angelina Jolie, Without Blood is a potent exploration of the lasting scars left by war and vengeance. The film, based on Alessandro Baricco’s novel, unfolds as a parable set in a rugged early 20th Century landscape. It tells the story of Nina (Salma Hayek Pinault), who endures a lifetime of suffering and relentless pursuit of revenge after a brutal act of violence destroys her family.
The narrative opens with a violent raid on a remote farmhouse, marking the beginning of Nina’s lifelong struggle. Her story extends far beyond the immediate trauma: after the attack, she is sent to an orphanage, adopted by a troubled pharmacist, and forced into an early marriage with a Duke. As a result of her Duke’s death and subsequent betrayal, Nina’s life spirals into further hardship, culminating in her institutionalization, as her family takes away her children.
Jolie masterfully adapts the novel’s parable-like essence, focusing on the intersection of personal and collective trauma. The film vividly illustrates how the repercussions of war extend into the lives of individuals long after the conflict ends. Tito (Demián Bichir), the final target of Nina’s quest for revenge, is a poignant symbol of this ongoing violence. His side may have won the war, but the brutality persists, manifesting in continued acts of aggression and retribution.
Through Nina’s journey, Without Blood delves into the cyclical nature of vengeance and the emotional and psychological toll it exacts. The film serves as a haunting reminder of how the aftermath of war can perpetuate cycles of violence, echoing long after the battlefields have been abandoned. Jolie’s direction and the powerful performances underscore the tragic reality that, in the shadow of conflict, peace remains an elusive and often unattainable goal.
Without Blood is playing at TIFF ’24. For more information, click here.
