Jolie Says World at 'Absolute Breaking Point' as 'Without Blood' Hits Theatres

Angelina Jolie has said the world has reached what she calls an "absolute breaking point" amid mounting conflict and social division, while describing her own optimism as hard-won. The actor and director made the remarks while promoting her new film, "Without Blood," which opens in United States theatres on September 18.

Speaking about her outlook, Jolie said the only route to optimism she can see is that things often have to deteriorate fully before they improve. She said people no longer feel protected or safe, and appear uncertain about the structures, laws and shared values that hold societies together. She added that she retains faith in ordinary people around the world who want to live decent lives and care for their families, rather than spend their lives fighting or suffering, and expressed hope that change will come.

"Without Blood" is written and directed by Jolie and adapted from Alessandro Baricco's novel. It stars Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir as two people linked by a violent attack whose lives converge years later. Hayek Pinault plays Nina, who survives an attack on her family as a child and later seeks out Tito, played by Bichir. Much of their encounter unfolds as a conversation, with the past surfacing as they confront the violence that shaped them and the aftermath of war.

Jolie said her interest in the material grew out of more than two decades of humanitarian work in conflict zones and with refugees. She said her films have repeatedly explored how people treat one another, why cycles of violence persist, and what happens after a war ends. She noted that for many survivors, being told the past is over can itself be painful, and that the film examines how injustice, trauma and war transform people and drive a lifelong effort to heal.

Hayek Pinault, who first met Jolie on the set of "Eternals," said she was initially frightened by the complexity of the role and unsure whether she could sustain the character's suffering over weeks of filming. She recalled telling Jolie she was terrified, and said Jolie replied that this was precisely why she wanted her. Hayek Pinault described the experience as liberating, crediting Jolie with creating a sense of safety on set and with being a friend through whom she could work through personal material via the character.

The film centres on the lasting effects of violence, including trauma, revenge, memory and the possibility of forgiveness. Jolie has spent over two decades in humanitarian service with the UN refugee agency, completing more than 60 field missions as a Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy before moving to independent advocacy for refugee rights and local organisations.