Almodovar’s new film a tribute to his love of movies

The acclaimed Spanish director’s latest film reunites him with his long-time collaborator, Penelope Cruz.

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Pedro Almodovar’s latest film, Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos), is a personal tribute to his love of movies, said the Spanish director earlier this month.

"It's a personal declaration, my declaration of love for the cinema," the cinema great said of the film, which features Penelope Cruz, who has starred in several Almodovar films.

The film, shot for 12 million euros (15.4 million dollars), is the costliest Almodovar has ever made. It recounts the tragic love affair between an ageing director who has turned blind and wants to make his swansong film and a young actress.

"My films represent my economic, emotional and artistic heritage," he said.

Almodovar and Cruz have collaborated with each other for over a decade with such films as Live Flesh, All About My Mother and Volver, for which the 34-year-old actress picked up an Oscar nomination in 2006.

Cruz, who this year became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award when she took the Oscar for her performance in the Woody Allen comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona, thanked Almodovar in her acceptance speech. She expressed her gratitude towards Almodovar "for having made me part of so many of his adventures."

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz (L) and Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar pose during a photocall to present Almodovar's new film 'Los abrazos rotos' (Broken Embraces) in Madrid on 13 March 2009.

Cruz said her role in the new film was a difficult one.

"Its a very different personality from my own and very different from all the roles I have played before,” she said. Cruz plays “a survivor who I think always has a black cloud over her head."

Cruz also underscored her fondness and admiration for Almodovar.

"If I had to work with only one director for the rest of my life, it's clear to me that it would be him," she said. Almodovar is "someone who is very important in my career and in my life."

AFP/Expatica

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• Penélope Cruz talks to Helen Pidd about her role in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona
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