- Title: SPAIN: Spaniards celebrate after Penelope Cruz's Oscar win
- Date: 23rd February 2009
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (FEBRUARY 23, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FREE MORNING PAPERS BEING DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE METRO STOP IN MADRID
- Embargoed: 10th March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Reuters ID: LVAU52PIJ2GV6RZ3PO8E2NJ5CHR
- Story Text: News of Penelope Cruz's win dominate Spanish dailies after she becomes the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar.
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz dominated the front pages in her home country after Sunday's (February 22) Oscar success.
After walking away with the prize for best supporting actress for her role in Woody Allen's film "Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona", Cruz became the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar and enjoys widespread support in her home country for her part in promoting Spanish cinema.
"I am happy that Spanish cinema, although we are small, is doing well, this together with Pedro Almodovar, you know," said Sandro, a security guard for Madrid's metro system.
She also received recognition from the public for the difficulties she has had to overcome as a foreigner in an industry dominated by English.
Cruz struggled for years to convince English-speaking movie audiences to take her seriously after critics panned her earlier performances in films like "Woman on Top," and was sometimes better-known for high-profile romances with stars like Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey.
"I think it's good. I think she has got better as an actress since she started. It's a prize for overcoming difficulties. The whole language thing, she is getting better at English although it's difficult for her. I am happy for her, she is a compatriot. Fantastic," said Madrid resident Henriette.
And although some people showed their preferences for other film, the majority of those asked spoke of their happiness for Penelope after her win for what was her second Oscar nomination.
"Anyway, I am happy. I am happy for her."
Cruz, 34, thanked both Allen and Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar for their roles in shaping her career and dedicated the gold statuette to the actors from her country.
With her Oscar win, Cruz, joins fellow actresses Dianne Wiest and Mira Sorvino in scoring best supporting-actress Oscars for their performances in Woody Allen films.
Born in Madrid to a hairdresser and an auto mechanic, Cruz got her big break in the Spanish film industry in 1992 with "Jamon Jamon".
She captured the attention of the Oscar-winning Almodovar, who cast her in various movies including the 2006 film "Volver," which earned her a best actress Oscar nomination for her role as a woman who kills her abusive husband.
That nod made Cruz the first Spanish woman to be nominated for a best actress Academy Award for a non-English speaking role.
Cruz's Oscar win on Sunday follows a British BAFTA award and other U.S.
critics awards this season for her performance in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" as the fiery ex-wife to a bohemian artist portrayed by Javier Bardem who has wooed a pair of young American women vacationing Spain. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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