Penelope Cruz and Almodovar Podcast

[Marbella]

They were in London last week talking about Volver. Here's a link (http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1839123,00.html)to the podcast from the National Film Theatre (I tried to get tickets but they'd sold out to NFT members within minutes of going on sale:( :( ).

[Marbella]

I just love the way Pedro reverts to castellano so he can express himself more colourfully. How I can sympathise with that in reverse. A wonderfully charming and amusing interview!

Quote of the day: "el culo es un síntoma de optimismo".

[Ben]

Thanks Marbella, definitely worth blogging too - I'll stick it on the front page of NFS!

[Marbella]

Good one Ben, I'm sure loads of people will enjoy this one. They are both such engaging characters, Penelope Cruz doesn't come across 'diva-ish' at all does she, just cute cute cute!

[ValenciaSon]

Wrap it up, I'll take it!

[davide]

I liked the fact that Cruz and Almodovar let the tittering over pechos and culos wash over them and continued to talk about how those things helped establish her role. Very interesting to see how PA works and how he supports the actors. Thanks Marbella!

[guapo]

They were in London last week talking about Volver. Here's a link (http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1839123,00.html)to the podcast from the National Film Theatre (I tried to get tickets but they'd sold out to NFT members within minutes of going on sale:( :( ).
Good follow up interview with Almodovar in the Observer (http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1843281,00.html) today. Interesting quote about the role that Penelope Cruz plays:

"Pretty girls don't usually get such parts. In America, they don't know how to use actresses. I saved her from Hollywood."

[Marbella]

Rave reviews here for Volver. Anyone seen it yet?

Take a look at one of the best reviews [ever]. I won't provide a link because I think it is subscription only but go to the Spectator website (http://www.spectator.co.uk/index.thtml)if curious.

Olivia Glazebrook writes:

If you haven’t been abroad so far this summer, go and see Pedro Almodóvar’s Volver — it will have almost as invigorating an effect as a weekend in Spain. To see it is to be immersed in a strange and likeable culture, populated by agreeably batty characters whose tale is completely absorbing.

So absorbing, in fact, that when I emerged from the screening I was surprised to find myself fogged in by the dull mash of London greys, and not among a blaze of Spanish colour. When I opened my mouth to speak I was amazed that a torrent of Spanish didn’t issue forth. I was puzzled (and, yes, it must be said, a little disappointed) to glance at my reflection in a shop window and find that I didn’t resemble Penélope Cruz.
Is there a more beautiful woman than Penélope Cruz in cinema? You will find it hard to think of one, after watching Volver. And what a relief to have her return from Hollywood to Almodóvar, and to acting in Spanish rather than English. Volver (which means ‘coming back’) contains many homecomings: Almodóvar has returned to La Mancha, where he comes from, and set part of the film there....

[Ben]

She's on Radio 4 right now! Maybe they will repeat it later, via this page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/filmprogramme/

I only heard the last ten seconds :( We may go and see it tonight!

[ValenciaSon]

Well I'm sure Hollywood is not done with Penelope, especially if Volver does well at the box office.

[Marbella]

Well I'm sure Hollywood is not done with Penelope, especially if Volver does well at the box office.

An Oscar maybe?

[Marbella]

She's on Radio 4 right now! Maybe they will repeat it later, via this page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/filmprogramme/

I only heard the last ten seconds :( We may go and see it tonight!

Yes, it's on the 'listen again' section now. Thanks, will have a listen later.

Hope you can see the film tonight and do a review for us. Maybe go out after and have a couple of cañitas y unas tapitas?;)

[Ben]

After the red wine/cava/beer incident on wednesday night (a fine time was had by all!), I am still on a health drive... maybe a 'cerveza sin alcohol' :)

[greytop]

One (http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/pg060830/prensa/noticias/Ocio/200608/30/VAL-OCI-178.html)to watch out for Penelope fans

http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/pg060830/prensa/fotos/200608/30/9910664.jpg

[Chris M]

One (http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/pg060830/prensa/noticias/Ocio/200608/30/VAL-OCI-178.html)to watch out for Penelope fans

http://www.lasprovincias.es/valencia/pg060830/prensa/fotos/200608/30/9910664.jpg


Qué linda!

[Marina]

I read the book of the film she is going to make "Pasion India" by Javier Moro and really enjoyed it. Let's see how the film turns out.

[Flexichick]

Is she making Pasion India? Javier is a very good friend of my friend in Madrid. I met him and his wife in Ibiza - very nice people.

I haven't managed to read it since the copy I have is in Spanish and....well....I'm just not quite there yet.

[Marina]

Apparently Penelope is going to be the Spanish dancer, Anita Delgado, that marries the Indian Maharaja.

[Flexichick]

I guess I'll have to read the book now! Javier offered me one in English, but I already had the one in Spanish. I told him that when I see him in Madrid or Ibiza next year he'll be able to tell how much of it I understood ;D

Am curious as to whether or not the Spanish press speculates about her sexuality as much as the US press does? There is constant speculation that she and Salma Hayek are in a relationship. Her previous lovers (Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey (sp?)) are also rumored to be gay, making Penny their "beard" (do they use that expression elsewhere?).

Personally, I only care about whether she's good in the movies she's in......I would hate to be a celebrity and have my life speulated about (and I've got plenty of stories that are better left hidden!), but am curious as to whether the Spanish press backs off on her private life as she is one of "their own".