Salma Hayek Pinault Considers Angelina Jolie ‘Family,’ Says She Always Feels ‘Safe’ Around Her (Exclusive)

For Salma Hayek Pinault, Angelina Jolie is more than the director of her latest film. She’s “a member of the family,” Hayek Pinault, 58, tells PEOPLE Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Toronto International Film Festival world premiere No Blood.

When asked about her longtime friendship with Jolie, 49, Hayek Pinault quips: “What do you mean friendship?” He then notes that the two are much closer than that — and “do things together as a family.”

And when it doesn’t work, that includes “hanging”.[ing] sometimes out with the kids, but also alone,” the actress continues and adds: “I find it always super inspiring. A friend used to tell me: ‘Life is the same whether you laugh or cry.’ And it’s nice to have a friend with whom you can laugh and cry… and always feel safe.”

From left: Salma Hayek Pinault, Angelina Jolie and Demián Bichir at TIFF on September 8, 2024.

Monica Schipper/EveryStory2024/Getty

Angelina Jolie’s son, Pax, paid tribute to her at the TIFF premiere No Blood

Directed by Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir No Bloodwhich Jolie adapted from the 2002 book of the same name by Alessandro Baricco. The film is “an unforgettable fairy tale set in the aftermath of an unidentified conflict [which] explores universal truths about war, trauma, memory and healing,” according to the Fremantle production company’s synopsis.

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On the Italian set of the war drama, Jolie employed her sons, Maddox (21) and Pax (18). She previously directed in 2011. In the land of blood and honeyin 2014 Unbroken and in 2015 By the seathe latter of which Jolie starred alongside then-husband Brad Pitt.

No Blood denotes Maria star’s first further collaboration with Hayek Pinault after the two starred in the 2021 Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel. Eternals.

From left: Patricio José, Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Salma Hayek Pinault, Angelina Jolie, Demián Bichir and Juan Minujín on September 8, 2024.

Monica Schipper/EveryStory2024/Getty

Watch Salma Hayek Diss Her ‘Eternals’ Costars In Hilarious Reel

“I was surprised, even though we’re very close and stuff, but I did [surprised by] how warm, generous and kind she was as a director to the actors,” Hayek Pinault told PEOPLE/Entertainment Weekly apartment in Toronto. “I felt like she was my mother figure because she would come to the set and run it like a family. She was a very effective mother, but she was also there emotionally every step of the way.”

At the time, she added: “I’ve worked with great directors who are really focused, but maybe it’s because she’s also an actress. Anything she might have wanted someone to do for her, she did for us.”

Also starring Juan Minujín, No Blood will be distributed by Fremantle and is awaiting a theatrical release after its world premiere. The Toronto International Film Festival runs until September 15.

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Source: HIS Education