The young woman who starred in the American films Vanilla Sky, Blow, and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, first found stardom in the Almodovar film All About My Mother in 1999.
Cruz, 32, who stars in the Spanish director’s film Volver, said, "(Almodovar) is my favourite director and it’s a gift, this character. He had the trust to bring to my hands such an amazing, difficult, complex character and that’s what I look for. I don’t look for easy things."
For several years, Penelope Cruz has been dating actor Matthew McConaughey. Previously, she was romantically involved with Mission: Impossible star, Tom Cruise.