Penelope Cruz
After ten days in which the streets of Venice have become the meeting point of the professionals of the big screen, Saturday night the closing of the 78th edition of the Film Festival was celebrated . An evening in which the Spanish flavor has predominated since one of the great protagonists has been Penelope Cruz , who collected the Volpi Cup for the best actress thanks to her role in Parallel Mothers, a feature film in which she has returned to command of his great friend Pedro Almodóvar . With this recognition, considered one of the most outstanding in the film industry, it adds a new milestone in cinematographic history since it has become the first Spanish interpreter to achieve it. In addition, it was for her a night full of emotions also in the personal field since she had her loved ones very present, to whom she dedicated some beautiful words.
Ever since she got out of the car and stepped on the red carpet at the Lido Cinema Palace, where the ceremony took place, Penelope’s smile spoke for itself. Very elegant with a raised Chanel design with the shoulders exposed, her gestures made it clear that she was living a unique night in which every second was exciting. The actress was thrilled because the jury has assessed her role as Janis in such a positive way, which she has defined as “perhaps the most difficult” of her career. Upon collecting the award, she made an emotional dedication to her husband and her “wonderful children”, but also to two very important women to her: her mother and mother-in-law. “ To my mother, Encarna, the best teacher and friend, I love you, mom. And to my mother-in-law, Pilar Bardem , who left us two months ago. He did so much for the actors of our country and his love and passion for this wonderful profession was enormous. At the end of our last conversation he said I love you ‘, were to be his last words to me. But then I heard something else, very soft and silent and with a smile on her face she said two more words: Volpi Cup ”, she said while her husband nodded from the stands. “This goes for the two of them and for all the mothers,” he added.
On stage, the 47-year-old actress, who arrived accompanied by Javier Bardem although they did not pose together, also thanked Almodóvar for having her again for the seventh time. “It is an honor. Here we are, celebrating the cinema. Thank you Pedro, this is 100% yours. Your impeccable work, your dedication are so difficult to find in these times. I adore you , ” he said. to caress and look excitedly at this award named in honor of Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, founder of the festival in which another of Penelope’s latest works, Official Competition , directed by Argentines Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat , has also been screened . In addition, the Golden Lion has gone to Audrey Diwa for The eventwhile John Arcilla has won the Volpi Cup for best actor for On the Job: The Missing 8.
Throughout these three decades that she has been chaining projects, Penelope has not only achieved success with the critics but also among her colleagues, with whom she has forged beautiful friendships. For this reason, faced with this new joy of the actress, there are many who have publicly transferred a message of admiration, pride and affection to her. “Congratulations to my dear Penelope for the recognition that the Venice Film Festival makes her. Congratulations, friend,” said Antonio Banderas , with whom he shares the cast in Parallel Mothers; “You are very big”, has highlighted his brother-in-law, Carlos Bardem ; “PENÉLOPE CRUZ. Thus, with capital letters. You are a pride … and not only for our profession”, has written Tristán Ulloa: “The best”, has indicated Macarena García ; “Congratulations. I knew it, we all knew it … The depth and maturity of your work will bring you many joys”, highlights Aitana Sánchez Gijón . For their part, Inma Cuesta, Álvaro Cervantes, Andrea Duro and Elena Furiase, among others, have also joined in the congratulations.
A trajectory marked by work and success
As Penelope herself explained some time ago, every time she begins a project she feels the same illusion and the same healthy fear that invaded her the first time she stood in front of the cameras. Perhaps that is one of the keys to the international success that he continues to reap with each film in which he participates. From titles such as The Greek Labyrinth, Jamón Jamón or La rebelde, in which she began on the big screen, her talent has won over critics and audiences, making her one of the most successful actresses. Among his recognitions are also some of the most prestigious awards such as an Oscar, a BAFTA , three Goyas, five Fotogramas de Plata, the award of the Cannes and San Sebastián festivals … Throughout his career he has worked alongside filmmakers of the stature of Woody Allen, Fernando Trueba, Rob Marshall, Bigas Luna, Alejandro Amenábar, Isabel Coixet, Julio Medem and Ridley Scott, among others.