Penélope Cruz on why queer history must be discussed today
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history → discuss → ?
Penélope Cruz has said queer history remains “very necessary” to talk about as she reflected on the importance of new film La Bola Negra.
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she → say → film
The Oscar-winning actress, 52, spoke to The Standard at the London premiere of the Spanish-language drama, which explores sexuality, identity and desire across three generations of men in Spain.
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which → win → Spain
Asked why the story was particularly important to tell in today's world, Cruz said: “Because it is life.
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it → ask → world
She added that the film's themes remain relevant, pointing to the work of Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, whose unfinished play gives the film its name.
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play → add → name
She said: “The proof is that you see so many of the words from Lorca are still so necessary to hear, and so real, modern problems, unfortunately.
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many → say → Lorca
“I also have a very strong relationship with Almodóvar and have made seven movies with him, and that has also, in a way, shaped who I am and his values.
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I → make → way
“I don't see any other way than having respect for everyone else.
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I → see → everyone
It's just not a possibility for me,” she said.
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she → say → me
La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, follows three interconnected stories set across different periods of Spanish history.
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Negra → direct → history
The film explores the lives of men whose experiences are linked by sexuality, desire, pain and inheritance, drawing inspiration from Lorca's unfinished work.
Lorca, one of Spain's most celebrated literary figures, was assassinated by Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
His unfinished play provides the starting point for a film examining queer lives and experiences that have historically been silenced or overlooked.
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The ensemble cast includes Cruz, Glenn Close, Miguel Bernardeau, Guitarricadelafuente, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas.
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cast → explore → Cruz
The film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where Calvo and Ambrossi shared the award for best director.
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Calvo → premier → director
It has since received international attention and was selected as Spain's submission for the international feature film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.
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It → receive → Awards
The La Bola Negra premiere saw Miguel Bernardeau reflect on the experience of being part of a film that has already struck a chord with audiences.
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that → see → audiences
He told The Standard: “It's amazing.
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It → tell → Standard
It feels like a time I would wanna treasure in my heart forever.
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I → feel → heart
This film speaks about possibility, life, love, death.”
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film → speak → death
He added that he hoped the film would reach and move audiences when it arrived in cinemas internationally.
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it → add → cinemas
Guitarricadelafuente, who makes his acting debut in the film as Sebastián, also spoke about the importance of telling queer stories that have gone unheard.
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that → make → stories
He told The Standard: “As a gay man, to represent so many queer stories that never were told or weren't able to be told is something very, very, very important to me.”
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that → tell → me
The singer, who also contributed an original song to the film, described the experience of acting and writing music for the project simultaneously as “truly intense”.
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who → contribute → project
He explained that he wanted to experience his character's emotional journey before writing the song, allowing him to pay homage to Lorca and remain faithful to the film's story.
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him → explain → story
Guitarricadelafuente added: “Even though we think that we have achieved so much, I think that very dark times are coming ahead,” he said.
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he → add → much
“We need to be prepared for what can come in the future.”
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what → need → future
The Aporia
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