Penélope Cruz has appeared on numerous occasions as Pedro Almodóvar's muse since he invited her to participate in one of his productions when she was only 23 years old.
But a quarter of a century later, the film director is still so aware of her that “if he had to tell the history of Spain through an actress, it would be with Penelope”.
This was stated during an interview for
W Magazine
, where she wanted to explain that, for him, "a muse is not only inspiration, but she also gives you self-confidence".
That is the message that was transmitted through the photo session included in the latest issue of the magazine, where the Spaniard, who is the guest photographer, has executed in images his version of the dramatic opera
Carmen
if it were Cruz who starred in it.
"I've been wanting to play
Carmen
since I was four years old," said the actress, who was also asked after being chosen by Almodóvar to work, once again, with him.
“I was a ballet dancer and
Carmen
is one of the great roles of this art.
When Pedro told me that we had to reimagine Carmen, I was very happy.”
Cruz, who practiced classical ballet for nine years at the National Conservatory in Madrid, has been enthusiastic about taking these photographs in which both have wanted to reflect the richness of Spanish culture.
“I told her that I was writing a new version of
Carmen
, and that the outfits would have a flamenco air”, Almodóvar recounted, in a conversation coordinated by the journalist Lynn Hirschberg.
"The relationship between Penelope and clothes is interesting: in her first film with me, all the clothes were second-hand, but Penelope always turns everything into fashion," she explained, narrating an example in which she has tried to blend the style of Cross with the paper it represents.
“I give her a character orientation of hers: 'You're a whore from a small town,' but it doesn't matter.
It is almost impossible, because Penelope is always great, even in a very humble outfit”, the creator of
Parallel Mothers
wanted to emphasize .
Cover of 'W Magazine' for March 2022.Gregor Klaus
More information
Penélope Cruz: “I start all the shoots as if they were my first film”
To develop this new interpretation of
Carmen
on the cover of
W Magazine
, fashion director Katie Grand has chosen for the actress a full long-sleeved jumpsuit by Balenciaga for AZ Factory that has incorporated gloves, boots and a hair flower .
The second dress in which Cruz has donned was also from Balenciaga, in a red color that the Spanish screenwriter and producer also wanted to highlight.
“It is a very strong color that absorbs everything that is around it”, he commented during the talk.
“In Spanish culture, red represents passion, fire, blood and death.
All that ”, she has explained, justifying the choice of her styling.
Both have also made clear their interest in fashion and design, and have stated that they coordinate each time they have to make similar choices.
“When I work with Penelope, the first thing she always asks me is: 'How do I dress?
How's my hair?'
She needs to visualize herself.
But she also knows that I watch her with a thousand eyes and that I would never let her do something ridiculous or grotesque.
That generates a lot of confidence”, Almodóvar pointed out, who also wanted to talk about the most sensitive side of the actress: “Her character has always been maternal in the best possible way.
Even when she was very young, she always had that ability, that generosity, that gift.”
Penélope Cruz, who in 2006 was the first Spanish actress nominated for the Oscar Awards and the Golden Globes in the category of best leading actress —for her role in the Spanish film
Volver
, directed by Almodóvar—, has been nominated again in 2022 for her role in
Parallel Mothers
.
Both artists have shown that they support each other both professionally and personally, working together on a total of seven film productions.