On the evening of September 14, 2026, a special screening of the war drama Without Blood, directed, written, and produced by Angelina Jolie, was held in New York City as part of the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF). The film itself garnered media attention, as did Jolie’s appearance with her 21-year-old daughter, Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt. Their joint appearance was seen as a touching gesture of family support.
Zahara came to the screening to support her mother, and her participation in the question and answer session (Q&A) at the Jaffe Art Theater emphasized their close bond. The press recalled Zahara’s recent speech at college, where she called Angelina her main role model. It is noteworthy that Jolie’s other children also participated in the making of the film: sons Pax and Maddox worked on the set in Italy as assistant directors.
At the entrance to the Village East by Angelika cinema, mother and daughter were met by a dense crowd of photographers and fans. According to eyewitnesses, the behavior of some of the audience was overly persistent: some shouted harsh phrases, which made Zahara look anxious. Angelina showed restraint and professionalism: they briefly disappeared inside the building, and then returned to give the press the opportunity to take high-quality photos without fuss.
Angelina Jolie chose an understated look in the spirit of her signature style – a straight-cut black pantsuit and laconic accessories. Fashion publications called this look the embodiment of “quiet luxury” and “timeless sophistication.” The outfit did not draw attention to itself, emphasizing that the main focus of the evening was the film itself.
Zahara preferred a minimalist evening outfit, harmoniously complementing her mother’s look. At the same time, as noted by Yahoo! reviewers, Entertainment, mother and daughter managed to “combine without repeating themselves”: both chose black, but played it up in different textures and silhouettes, maintaining their individuality.
During the question and answer session, the director shared personal and professional reflections on the essence of the film. The key idea was a quote from Alessandro Baricco’s novel, which served as the basis for the script: “We always return to where we were broken.” According to Jolie, the film was created for those trying to understand trauma and find a path to healing. Another key point Jolie emphasized was the film’s deliberate avoidance of tying it to a specific country or historical conflict. This approach, she believes, allows for universal themes to be foregrounded: memory, revenge, the consequences of violence, and the search for forgiveness. These ideas, the director believes, are relatable to audiences anywhere in the world.
Admiration for the actors’ performances was a separate theme. Angelina warmly thanked Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir for their emotional openness and courage. Salma, in turn, called Jolie “the best acting director” and said that she could turn to her for support at any time of the day.
The film “Bloodless” will be widely released in American cinemas on September 18, 2026.
