Cruz, Penelope

Penelope Cruz Sanchez was born on April 28, 1974 in the Spanish city of Alcobendas . Penelope’s father is Eduardo Cruz, a retailer and auto mechanic (he died of a heart attack in June 2015) ^[3] . Mother - Encarna Sanchez, hairdresser and impresario ^[4] . Penelope was the eldest child in the family: she has a sister Monica , also an actress, and her younger brother Eduardo is a musician and singer ^{[5] [6]} . Also has a half-sister (by father) Salma. In childhood she was brought up as a Catholic ^[7] . The girl grew up in Alcobendas and often lived in her grandmother’s apartment ^{[5] [8]} . According to Cruz, her childhood was happy ^[8] .

In his early years, Cruz had no plans to become an actress, her main passion was dancing ^[8] . She studied classical ballet ^[5] and for nine years attended classes at the Spanish National Conservatory ^[9] . After graduating from the conservatory, Cruz moved to the USA, devoting seven years to Christina Rota’s New York school, three of which she studied Spanish ballet, and four studied theater ^{[10] [11]} . According to the actress, ballet helped her to show discipline, which would be important in her future acting career ^[12] . At the age of 10-11, Penelope began to show a strong interest in cinema, and then her father bought her a Betamax VCR, which was then a very rare thing ^[13] .

As a teenager, Penelope became interested in acting after watching the comedy “ Tie Me Up! "Spanish director Pedro Almodovar ^{[8] [14]} . The future actress began to look for agents, but she was rejected several times by them, because she was considered too young ^{[8] [15]} . Cruz commented on this experience: “I was very extroverted as a child ... I studied when I was in high school at night, I was in ballet and I performed auditions. I was looking for an agent, and she rejected me three times because I was a little girl, but I kept coming back. I am still with her after all these years ” ^[15] . In 1989, Cruz smiled luck: at age 15 she was accepted into the talent search agency ^[9] . In 1999, actress agent Katrina Bayonas said: “She was absolutely magical while listening. Obviously, there was something very impressive about this child ... She was very green, but her presence was felt. There was something coming from within ” ^[9] .

1989-1996: Early work

In 1989, Cruz appeared in the music video of the Spanish pop group Mecano "La Fuerza del Destino". In the period from 1990 to 1997, the aspiring actress was the host of the La Quinta Marcha television show, which focused on a teenage audience ^[9] . In 1991, Penelope got a small role in the episode of the erotic television series "Pink Series", where she appeared completely naked.

In 1992, Cruz starred in his first film - the comedy drama " Ham, Ham " ^[9] . In the film, the actress played the role of the young girl Sylvia, pregnant from the son of the factory owner Jose. However, his mother does not approve of their relationship, and hires Raul (performed by Javier Bardem) to seduce Sylvia. People magazine noted that after Cruz appeared topless in the film, she became "the main sex symbol " ^[9] . In a 1999 interview with the Los Angeles Daily News, Penelope said: “I was not ready for nudity. [...] But I did not regret it, because I wanted to start working, and this changed my life ” ^[9] . “Ham, Ham” received favorable reviews from critics ^[16] , in particular, Chris Hicks of Deseret News described Sylvia in the performance of Cruz as “charming” ^[17] . Film critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times , in turn, wrote: "The cast of the film is very attractive, especially Penelope Cruz in the role of Sylvia" ^[18] . Charlie Rose of 60 Minutes noted that Cruz “became a sudden sensation with her naked scenes and talent” ^[12] . When Rose asked the actress in an interview whether she was worried about how she would be perceived after this role, she replied: “I just knew that I had to do the exact opposite” ^[12] . A year later, Cruz was nominated for the first in her life Spanish Goya and Spanish Actors Union Award for Best Actress. In the same year, Penelope appeared in the comedy Graceful Age , playing the virgin Luz. People magazine noted that the actress in this role showed her "versatility" ^[9] . For this film, Cruz was awarded the Spanish Actors Union Award . In the period from 1993 to 1996, Cruz took part in the filming of ten Spanish and Italian films ^[19] .

When Cruz was twenty, she moved to New York and lived for two years on Christopher Street and Greenwich Village , continuing to study ballet and English . Later, she recalled how she began to learn the language “too late”, knowing only one dialogue for casting; in addition, she could only say the phrases “How are you?” and “Thank you” ^[13] .

1997-2000: Recognition

In 1997, Cruz reincarnated as a fan of John Lennon in the Spanish comedy Dangers of Love. The actress also took part in two more films: as Helena in the film "Paradise" ^[9] and a prostitute in the melodrama Pedro Almodovar " Living Flesh ". Over the last Penelope was awarded another nomination for the Spanish Actors Union Award . The year 1997 ended for Penelope Cruz with her work in the mystical drama Open Your Eyes . She played Sofia, the mistress of the main character Cesar performed by Eduardo Noriega . Critics spoke generally of the film kindly ^[20] , but he found no response from the viewer ^[21] .

The following year, Cruz appeared in her first American Western film Billy Crudap, “Country of Hills and Valleys” ^[9] . Later, the actress admitted that in the process of filming she had difficulty communicating with actors who speak English ^[9] . The film was unsuccessful from the point of view of critics ^[22] , and in terms of box office ^[23] . Kevin Lally of the Film Journal International commented: “In such an absurd cast, the Spanish actress Penelope Cruz [...] is much more attractive in the role of Joseph than in her previous roles” ^[24] . Despite the failure of the film, Penelope was nominated for the ALMA Award in the category "Best Actress".

The next work of the actress was the project of Fernando Trueba “The Girl of Your Dreams”, where Cruz played the role of singer Macarena Granada. Penelope’s acting was endorsed by many film critics: Variety's Jonathan Hololand wrote: “If you still need confirmation that Cruz is first an actress, and only then a beauty, then here it is” ^[25] . The review left on the Film4 website commented: “Cruz inevitably focuses on the film”, and also noted that the film is “magnificent” ^[26] . Also in the press, this work of Cruz was considered as its “largest role to date” ^[9] . Penelope’s participation in the movie brought her victories at the Goya and Spanish Actors Union Award ceremonies, as well as a nomination for the European Film Academy Award .

In 1999, Penelope Cruz again collaborated with filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, working with him on the film “ Everything About My Mother ” ^[9] . A year later, she got her first major role in the comedy " Woman from Above ", where the actress played the chef Isabella, who has suffered from seasickness since childhood. Lisa Nesselsson from Variety praised the play of Penelope and her set partner Harold Perrino , adding that the actress “has a charming accent” ^[27] . Film critic Jane Crowther stated that “Cruz is gorgeous, frivolous, and innocent.” ^[28] In the same year, Cruz and Matt Damon in the western of Billy Bob Thornton's “Indomitable Hearts” played the roles of lovers Alejandra and John ^[9] . Susan Stark of Dertoit News noted that Thornton was able to get from Damon, Henry Thomas and Cruz "very impressive game." Nevertheless, Bob Longigigo showed less enthusiasm for the work of Cruz and Damon, saying that “their attraction to each other would hardly have heated a can of beans” ^[29] .

2001-2005: Breakthrough and Failure

2001 was a turning point in Cruz's career after playing a role in the film Vanilla Sky , a remake of Amenabar's Open Your Eyes. The actress again played the role of the girlfriend of the protagonist Sofia, and Tom Cruise became her partner in the set. Although the drama received mixed reviews ^[30] , box office receipts exceeded $ 200 million worldwide ^[31] . Her work was well appreciated by critics: Brandon Graydon said that Cruz is “charming” ^[32] , and Ethan Alter noted that the duet of Penelope and Tom “is able to create the right atmosphere” ^[33] . In the same year, Penelope appeared in the dramatic film Cocaine , an adaptation of 1993 Bruce Porter's book. Cruz played a supporting role - Mirtu, the wife of George Lung, performed by Johnny Depp . In the midst of film critics, drama caused an ambiguous reaction ^[34] , but raised $ 80 million worldwide ^[35] . Despite the fact that reviews about Cruz's acting in Vanilla Sky and Cocaine were generally good, she was not awarded any awards, except for the Golden Raspberry nomination (for both films) as the worst actress of the year .

In the future, from the end of 2001 to 2005 in the career of Penelope Cruz there has been a decline. After working on the failed film Captain Corelli 's Choice (for which she received a Golden Raspberry nomination), Cruz continued to fail. Ten films with her participation, released during this period, had mostly mixed or failed reviews from critics ^{[36] [37]} . The only successful film for Cruz was “ Don't Go ”: the actress not only received favorable reviews from film critics, but was also awarded the David di Donatello Prize ^[38] and the Goya nomination.

2006-2009: Worldwide Recognition

After entering the wide screens of the comedy thriller “ Bandits, ” where Cruz starred with Salma Hayek , the actress took part in the filming of Pedro Almodovar's “ Return ”. Cruz was the first to be notified of the lead role ^[39] . To get used to the role, Penelope watched Italian films of the 1950s with the participation of legendary actresses such as Sophia Loren and Claudia Cardinale ^[40] . The image of Raimunda, the eldest of the children left without a mother, a strong and decisive woman, was enthusiastically received by critics. Karina Ciocano of The Los Angeles Times wrote: “Cruz, who noted that she is rarely allowed to be more than just pretty in Hollywood, inspires respect with her amazing determination and strength of character.” ^[41] Penelope Cruz herself stated that “Raimunda is the best gift an actress can receive” ^[42] . The role brought Penelope nominations for the Oscars , Golden Globes , Screen Actors Guild Awards and the BAFTA , but she lost all the awards to Helen Mirren , who received statuettes for the movie Queen . In her homeland, Cruz was awarded the Goya Prize in the Best Actress category.

In 2008, Cruz starred in three films: Elegy , Manolete , and Vicky Cristina Barcelona . Having starred in the role of the mentally unstable woman Maria Elena, the actress received positive reviews, and critic Richard Roeper even wrote that she deserves an Oscar nomination for “her fiery, crazy and sexual work” ^[43] . Cruz was awarded many film awards, among which were BAFTA and Goya. At the Academy Awards, she won the coveted statuette, becoming the first Spanish actress to receive the award ^[44] .

A year later, Penelope appeared in Rob Marshall 's musical film " Nine " in the role of Carla Albanase, the main character's mistress. According to Variety magazine, Cruz auditioned for the role of the main character Claudia, which eventually went to Nicole Kidman ^[45] . Cruz herself said that for one performance on the stage in one of the episodes of the film, she had been learning the dance for three months ^[44] . Once again receiving high marks for her performance, the actress was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe, but lost Mo'Nick awards.

2010–2015: Subsequent Career

In 2010, Cruz practically did not appear on the screens: she announced herself only in the episodic role of the movie screening of the television series “ Sex and the City 2 ” ^{[46] [47]} . However, a year later she took part in the filming of her largest Hollywood adventure film “ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, ” where she again collaborated with director Rob Marshall. When asked Marshall why Cruz was the only candidate for the role, he replied: “She fits the description as an actress who can stand up to Johnny face to face and be a worthy opponent to him. <...> It can be funny, and smart, and chic, and cunning, and beautiful ” ^[48] . For the role of Angelica, Jack Sparrow's mistress, the actress studied fencing for two months ^[49] . It is also noteworthy that during the creation of the film Penelope was pregnant, and in some takes she was replaced by her younger sister Monica ^[50] .

On April 1, 2011, Penelope was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to the development of the film industry. The star number is 2436 ^[51] .

In 2012, the actress again worked with Woody Allen , starring in his romantic comedy “ Roman Adventures ” ^[52] . Role Cruz - street prostitute Anna, who pretends to be the bride's wife. In the film, the actress spoke Italian. She received favorable reviews, and The Week publication noted her work as “violent and cartoonishly sexy” ^[53] . Her other project was Born Twice , which tells of the barren Italian woman Gemma, who returns to post-war Sarajevo to relive her past. Крус играла персонажа на разных этапах жизни — от подростка до зрелой женщины ^[54] .

В 2013 году Пенелопа Крус появилась в триллере « Советник », где она исполнила роль второго плана — подругу главного героя, единственную не вовлечённую в торговлю наркотиками ^{[55] [56]} . Партнёрами Крус по съёмочной площадке были Майкл Фассбендер , Камерон Диас , Брэд Питт и её собственный муж Хавьер Бардем. С Бардемом актриса не снималась в совместных сценах.

В 2015 году Крус выступила сопродюсером испанской драмы « Ма Ма », а также исполнила в нём главную роль. Её перевоплощение — безработная учительница Магда, которая узнаёт, что больна раком груди , и начинает бороться за свою жизнь. «Один из самых непростых и красивых персонажей, который мне когда-либо предлагали», — так описала свою героиню актриса ^[57] . Картина была показана на Международном кинофестивале в Торонто ^[57] , где подверглась критике из-за «плаксивой сюжетной линии» ^{[58] [59]} . Тем не менее, актриса получила высокую оценку за её «классное исполнение» ^[60] и новую номинацию на премию «Гойя».

2016 — настоящее время: Современные проекты

2016 год начался для Пенелопы Крус с комедий. В « Образцовом самце № 2 » Крус сыграла модного спецагента Валентину, расследующей убийство известных поп-звёзд. Актриса согласилась сниматься после того, как режиссёр фильма Бен Стиллер лично позвонил ей, поскольку, по её собственному признанию, она «очень любит первый фильм». Также, по утверждению Стиллера, Пенелопа была единственной кандидаткой на роль Валентины ^[61] . Другой комедией с участием Крус стала лента « Братья из Гримсби », где её партнёрами по съёмочной площадке были Саша Барон Коэн и Марк Стронг . За съёмки актриса получила гонорар в размере 400 тыс. долларов ^[62] . Большинство критиков посчитало, что Крус в этом фильме была очень недоиспользована. В этом же году вернулась к роли певицы Макарены Гранады в трагикомедии «Королева Испании», сиквеле фильма 1998 года, которая принесла ей ещё одну номинацию на премию «Гойя» ^[63] .

В 2017 году Пенелопа Крус появилась в драматическом фильме « Эскобар », где она сыграла журналистку Вирхинию Вальехо, влюбившуюся в наркобарона Пабло Эскобара (его роль исполнил Хавьер Бардем) ^[64] . Фильм был показан вне конкурса на 74-м Венецианском кинофестивале ^{[65] [66]} . Чтобы сыграть роль Вальехо, актриса изучала сотни интервью журналистки ^[67] . В этом же году она работала с Кеннетом Брана , снявшись в его фильме « Убийство в „Восточном экспрессе“ », четвёртой адаптации одноимённого романа Агаты Кристи . Крус предстала в образе одной из пассажирок поезда — миссионерки Пилар Эстравадос, латиноамериканской версии персонажа романа Греты Олссон.

В 2018 году Крус сыграла Донателлу Версаче во втором сезоне сериала « Американская история преступлений ». Таким образом это стало её первым появлением на телевидении. Во время подготовки к своей роли актриса консультировалась с самой Версаче. По словам исполнительного продюсера сериала Райана Мерфи , Крус лично попросила у модельера разрешения на воплощение её образа, и Версаче дала своё согласие ^[68] . Исполнение роли актрисой было высоко оценено критиками, и принесло ей номинации на премии « Эмми » (первая в карьере) и «Золотой глобус». Также Крус вновь снялась с Хавьером Бардемом в испанском психологическом триллере режиссёра Асгара Фархади « Лабиринты прошлого » ^[69] , открывавшего 71-й Каннский кинофестиваль ^[70] .

Модельный бизнес

«Самая трудная вещь в мире — начать карьеру, когда известна только ваша внешность, а затем попытаться стать серьёзной актрисой. Никто не будет воспринимать вас всерьёз, если вы известны лишь как миловидная женщина» ^[71] .

Оригинальный текст (англ.)

"The most difficult thing in the world is to start a career known only for your looks, and then to try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you are known as the pretty woman."

В 2006 году Крус стала официальной моделью французской компании L'Oréal и продвигает такие продукты, как краску для волос ^[72] и тушь ^[73] . За работу в этой компании актриса ежегодно получает $ 2 млн ^[9] .

В 2001 году Пенелопа сотрудничала с американским модельером Ральфом Лореном ^{[9] [74]} . Также Крус появилась в печатной рекламе компании Mango ^[75] . В 2007 году Пенелопа создала вторую коллекцию одежды для Mango вместе со своей сестрой Моникой ^[15] . Коллекция была вдохновлена актрисой Брижит Бардо и летним сезоном в коммуне Сен-Тропе ^[15] .

В 2010 году Крус была приглашённым редактором французской версии журнала Vogue . Актриса участвовала в провокационной фотосессии, уделив особое внимание моделям размера «плюс» ^[76] . В декабре этого же года Пенелопа появилась на обложке испанского издания Vogue , при этом её условием было не показывать беременность ^[77] . Фотографом Крус выступил Питер Линдберг ^[77] .

В апреле 2010 года актриса стала новым лицом аромата Trésor от духов Lancôme , заменив Кейт Уинслет ^[78] . Крус стала третьей официальной моделью-знаменитостью бренда наряду с Уинслет и Джулией Робертс .

В ноябре 2012 года Крус подписала контракт с мадридским домом моды Loewe . С января 2013 года Крус является лицом этой марки, продвигающей изделия из кожи ^[79] .

Благотворительность

Пенелопа Круc также активно занимается благотворительностью. В 1997 году актриса два месяца была волонтёром в Уганде . Через год она работала в Калькутте в детском доме матери Терезы ^[80] . Свой первый гонорар она до последнего цента отдала в благотворительный фонд матери Терезы ^{[74] [80]} .

В начале 2000-х годов Крус посетила Непал , сделав фотографии тибетских детей для выставки, на которой присутствовал Далай-лама . Она также фотографировала подростков организации Pacific Lodge Boys' Home , большинство из которых являлись бывшими членами банд и выздоравливающими наркоманами ^[80] . Актриса рассказывала: «Эти дети разбивают мне сердце. Я должна контролировать себя, чтобы не плакать. Не из жалости, а видя, насколько сложна жизнь и как трудно сделать правильный выбор» ^[80] .

В 2002 году Пенелопа стала главой одного из американских филиалов организации Sabera Foundation , занимающейся благотворительностью и предоставляющей женщинам и детям Калькутты лекарства, обеспечивающие их образование и работу. Крус работает в этой организации с 1999 года — фактически с момента основания компании испанским музыкантом Начо Кано ^[81] .

Пенелопа также привлекала внимание общественности к проблеме нехватки доноров костного мозга . В 2008 году в Великобритании проводилась кампания по поддержке больных лейкемией . Актриса призналась, что она и не подозревала о существовании двух процедур сбора костного мозга, одна из которых оказалась очень простой и совершенно безболезненной. В одном интервью она сказала: «Я даже не ожидала, что второй способ настолько прост. Он позволит спасти жизнь многим людям» ^[82] .

Также Крус активно участвует в борьбе со СПИДом . В 2009 году она присоединилась к Педро Альмодовару и к фронтмену группы U2 Боно , чтобы провести благотворительное мероприятие в пользу Глобального Фонда, который собирает средства для исследований в области борьбы со СПИДом. 1 декабря 2010 года, будучи беременной, актриса участвовала в освещении красными огнями небоскрёба Эмпайр-стейт-билдинг во Всемирный день борьбы со СПИДом ^[77] .

В 2010 году Крус, Скарлетт Йоханссон , Джулия Робертс и Деми Мур собрали 333 тыс. долларов для помощи пострадавшим от произошедшего в Гаити землетрясения ^[83] . Пенелопа и её муж Хавьер Бардем приняли участие в благотворительном вечере, устроенном организацией Chopard ^[84] .

Пенелопа Крус — в основном актриса драматического жанра. Натали Кучек, оценивая творчество Крус, писала:

«В фильмах Пенелопы Крус вы либо любите, либо ненавидите её героинь. Она умеет играть милых и отвратительных персонажей. Независимо от того, какой характер она играет, одна вещь остаётся неизменной — это её красота. Она имеет не только естественную красоту, которая является неоспоримой, но и актёрский талант для поддержания её успешной карьеры. Независимо от того, какой характер она изображает, в фильмах Пенелопы Крус всегда есть удивительные сюжетные линии» ^[85] .

Оригинальный текст (англ.)

"In Penelope Cruz movies you either love or hate her character. She has a track record of either portraying some endearing and loathsome characters. No matter what character she plays, one thing stays constant, and that is her beauty. She has a natural beauty that is undeniable, but also the acting talent to back her successful career. No matter what type of character she portrays, Penelope Cruz movies always have amazing storylines."

Канадский кинокритик Джон Фут описал Крус как «блестящую» и «великую актрису», и отметил, что «она — абсолютное восхищение, с глубиной, эмоциями и способностью найти правду в её характерах, врождённая способность, которая сверхъестественна» ^[86] .

Ingrid Sischi, in turn, mentioning Ingrid Bergman , Greta Garbo , Sophia Loren and Marlene Dietrich , noted: “Like some of those actresses, Cruz is not a pretty cookie cutter - it’s even a bit nosy, but its unusual features combine into an unforgettable aria of real beauty ” ^[87] .

Director Woody Allen, describing Cruz, said: “I never thought of her as a person, because when I work, I am not interested in a person, except for the role. When she turned out to be beautiful - it was good, but I would be happy if she was a bitch. " He also added: “I do not like to look directly at Penelope. This is too overwhelming. ” ^[88] Working with her on the film Roman Adventures, the director compared the actress to Italian legends Anna Magnani and Sophia Loren ^[89] .

A direct influence on the work of Cruz had Pedro Almodovar. The actress said in an interview: "At the end of my life, he will be among those whom I loved most." Almodovar, in turn, said that Cruz “was born to become an actress. She is a person who is extremely emotional, and if she did not become an actress, this would be a problem for her ” ^[90] . Once he even called Penelope his muse ^[91] .

Penelope in friendly relations with the Spanish director Pedro Almodovar. They have known each other for almost twenty years and have worked together in films ^[91] . Cruz's best friend is Mexican actress Salma Hayek ^[92] . In the circle of friends, the actress is called Pe ^{[11] [15]} .

Three years lasted a romance between Cruz and Tom Cruise, which began after their joint work in the film " Vanilla Sky ". The breakdown of their relationship became known in January 2004 ^[93] . In April 2003, she filed a lawsuit against Australian magazine New Idea for defamation in an article about her relationship with Cruz ^[94] . After parting with Cruise, the actress from 2005 to 2006 met with Matthew McConaughey ^[95] .

In April 2007, Cruz said in an interview with the Spanish edition of Marie Claire magazine that she would like to not only have, but also adopt children ^[96] .

In 2007, Penelope began dating actor Javier Bardem (born 1969), who worked with her in several films ^[97] . In July 2010, they married in the Bahamas at their friend's house ^{[98] [99]} . The spouses have two children - the son of Leonardo (born January 25, 2011) ^{[100] [101] [102] [103]} and the daughter Luna (born July 22, 2013) ^[104] .

In addition to creative, Penelope Cruz is also the owner of several special awards. In 2006, in France, the actress was awarded the Order of Arts and Literature of the III degree ^[105] . In 2007, the Queen of Spain, Sofia, awarded Penelope a gold medal for the promotion of Spanish culture in the United States ^{[106] [107]} .

For a complete list, see IMDb.com ^[108] .

• Пенелопа Крус (англ.) на сайте Internet Movie Database
• Пенелопа Крус (недоступная ссылка) (англ.) на сайте Allrovi