Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek have developed a close friendship through their work together, with Jolie saying she has never experienced a connection quite like the one she shares with Hayek.

The actresses first worked together on the 2021 Marvel film Eternals, but their friendship deepened while collaborating on Without Blood, an intimate film directed and adapted by Jolie from Alessandro Baricco’s 2002 novella.

Hayek stars alongside Demián Bichir in the movie, which explores the consequences of war, trauma and reconciliation. The two actresses say their relationship has become particularly meaningful because of the similarities and differences in their life experiences.

“I think it’s so nice we met at this later stage in our life,” Jolie says. “Because we’ve been through so many similar things, experienced different things, and somehow have landed as older women in a very similar place.”

“Even though I’m much older than her, by the way,” Hayek jokes.

“Not that much older!” Jolie responds with a laugh.

Jolie, 51, then explains why she values the friendship so deeply.

“To appreciate that friendship and that bond and that understanding – I haven’t had that kind of a connection in my life.”

Hayek agrees that such a relationship can be difficult to find.

“It’s hard to find that connection. And I think that’s what part of the movie is also about, how difficult it is to communicate, to connect.”

Their strong bond also influenced the atmosphere on the set of Without Blood. Hayek recalls that their conversations could become highly emotional and intense before quickly turning into moments of laughter.

“Sometimes we would start passionately screaming at each other,” Hayek recalls. “Then I start crying and she hugs me, then we’re laughing nonstop. And from the outside, I could see people say, ‘What’s going on?’”

Hayek says she feels comfortable expressing her opinions openly around Jolie because of the trust between them.

“I can say whatever. She’s never offended because it’s coming from me. And we’re talking about issues, and then we start crying because we’re moved, not because we made each other cry… And then we say something stupid and we start cracking up.”

Jolie and Hayek’s conversations reflected some of the central themes explored in Without Blood, which follows Hayek’s character, Nina, and Bichir’s Tito as they confront each other over an act of violence connected to an unspecified war.

The characters meet again decades after the violence, forcing them to confront its consequences and the possibility of understanding one another.

Hayek says her conversations with Jolie during the production were particularly natural and meaningful.

“The conversations on set between actress and director “were delicious” and “very organic,” Hayek tells PEOPLE. “I love her mind and I get her. So I think when you know somebody gets you, you feel safe and you can be whoever you are in whatever circumstances.”

The friendship has also led to plans for the actresses to work together again. At the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of Without Blood, Hayek told PEOPLE that she was preparing to direct another project involving Jolie, with Jolie taking on a producing role.

Without Blood premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in theaters on Sept. 18.

For Jolie and Hayek, their collaboration on the film has therefore become more than a professional partnership. Their shared experiences, emotional openness and ability to communicate have helped create a friendship that both actresses describe as unusual and meaningful at this stage of their lives.