"I was 16 when I decided to be an actress and it was after seeing Legami !, hoping one day to work for Almodovar"
: the one between Penelope Cruz and the Spanish director is a long story of cinema, love, passion, respect. Seven films together but for Madres Paralelas that imperfect, complicated mother "is perhaps the most difficult character I have ever played". Cruz speaks of Pedro with complicity and is also perceived well with reverence. "Each time is a gift, the departure for an intense and exciting journey. When he proposes a part to me, each time I think: 'This man wrote another marvel. Needless to say, his is the most awaited phone call." Penelope, Almodovar confesses, "is the first I think of when I write a female character of her age. And I know that she is waiting and hoping that in every one of my films there will be a role for her. You don't need to press me, you bombard me with phone calls,she knows I think of her. "
Carne trémula, All about my mother, Volver - Return, The broken hugs, The passing lovers, Dolor y gloria and now Madres paralelas: this is the filmography together "but there has always been a great harmony since the first character, we are there immediately understood
. And even when it's hard work, like this one, it's a walk in the park because he doesn't make you feel alone, he's my safety - he says adoringly - Pedro is totally at the service of his film, he's very concentrated on the set, you can't see him doing it. other, not even taking a phone call and then the preparation, months of rehearsals, of acting the script, of explanations, mutual dedication, builds each film like a craftsman and takes care of it down to the smallest detail. And I can assure you that not all directors work in this way. "And Almodovar reciprocates:" Penelope is beautiful, photogenic, talented and a hard worker, I have blind faith in her. I am a very demanding director and she gives me everything I ask of her. "
Penelope Cruz is doubly nominated for the Volpi Cup: in addition to the role of Anna Magnani by Madres Paralelas, she is a very stylish director in the Official Competition of Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat in which she plays alongside Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martinez, in competition on 4 September.