Cruz, who made his debut with Rafael Alcázar’s ‘Greek Labyrinth’ in 1991 and came to the fore with Javier Bardem’s ‘Jamón, Jamon’ only a year later, starred in a total of 68 films. Throughout his artistic career, many have been directed by Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar, alongside some series, television commercials and even video clips.
Also, the Spanish Film Academy has justified its work by nominating twelve for the Goya Awards since 1993, when it was first nominated for ‘Jamón, Jamón’.
These are some of his most important roles:
‘Ham, Ham’ – 1992
‘Jamón, Jamon’ was the movie that launched the Madrid actress to stardomco-starring with her current husband, Javier Bardem. Bigas Luna’s film was nominated for seven Goya Awards, but received none.
‘Belle Epoque’ – 1993
‘Belle Époque’, by Fernando Trueba premiered in 1993 and It was Spain’s second production. Oscar winner and also won for best foreign language film 9 Goya Awards, being one of the most awarded Spanish films. This is not Belle Époque despite its name, but an expertly packed and framed choral film set in the days before and after the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
Penelope Cruz playing Luz, shared a roster with players like Ariadna Gil, Jorge Sanz, Agustín González, Chus Lampreave or Fernando Fernán Gómez, among others. After ‘Jamón, Jamón’ it was the production that brought her success after being nominated for several awards and winning a Fotogramas and a Troop Award for Best Actress.
‘The apple of your eyes’ – 1998
Cruz skinning the Macarena Granada She won the Goya for Best Actress and the European Film Award for Best European Actress for her performance in this film by Fernando Trueba. The whole movie It received 18 Goya Award nominations and won seven of them.
The film is about a group of Spanish filmmakers who are invited to Germany during the Nazism era to shoot the German and Spanish double version of the Andalusian set musical drama The Girl with Your Eyes at UFA studios in Berlin.
‘Back’ – 2007
For Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘Volver’, Cruz was nominated for an Oscar for the first time, but did not win. The film, in which he brought Raimunda to life and achieved numerous successes, speaks of “three generations of women who stand against the east wind, fire, madness, superstition and even death with goodness, lies and unlimited vitality”. the director himself. “The ‘Volve’r breaks the stereotypes of black Spain and proposes a Spain that is as real as the opposite. A Spain that is white, spontaneous, fun, courageous, supportive and fair,” he adds.
‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ – 2008
On this occasion, The international artist has surrendered to the hands of the legendary Woody Allen to eventually become the first Hispanic woman to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.. ‘Vicky Cristina takes on the role of María Elena in Barcelona and has a polygamous relationship with Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem).
‘Parallel mothers’ – 2021
His latest film, which once again puts itself in the hands of Almodóvar, has achieved countless successes. Cruz didn’t get either Goya or the Oscar.
in the movie, The two women meet in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. they are both single and accidentally got pregnant. Middle-aged Janis (Penélope Cruz) is unrepentant and elated. The other, Ana (Milena Smit), a teenager, is frightened, regretful, and traumatized. Janis tries to cheer him up as he wanders the hospital corridors. The few words they will speak at that hour will create a very close bond between the two of them that develops by chance and becomes complex, affecting their lives decisively.