Penélope Cruz said on Monday that Javier Bardem still gives her the same impression on set that he did when they first worked together, describing him as a force of nature with an incredible talent.
Cruz made the comments on the red carpet for "Bunker," a psychological thriller directed by Florian Zeller that premiered on Monday at the Toronto International Film Festival, known as TIFF. Cruz, Bardem and the French director all attended the screening.
Asked what Bardem represents to her as a professional partner, Cruz said it was the same thing she felt when they met and she was told he would be her co-star on their first film together.
Their history together
That first film was "Jamón, Jamón," a 1992 movie directed by Bigas Luna that gave both Cruz and Bardem one of their first major leading roles.
Cruz said she remembers thinking he was a force of nature and an incredible talent. She added that when the two work together, they both make an effort to separate their personal relationship from the characters they play.
She said that is also why they try not to force chances to work together, whether that means seeking out projects or avoiding them.
Cruz said it is not something they want to do very often, calling the distance a way of protecting the relationship rather than working together all the time.
Zeller on casting the pair
Zeller, who won an Oscar for "The Father," told EFE he had no doubts about casting Cruz and Bardem to lead "Bunker."
He said he wanted them because they are the best, not only as actors but as human beings, and that working with them was a joy.
Asked whether directing a real-life couple made his job easier, Zeller answered with humor, saying he did not know, but that they did not have to rehearse much, so it saved money.
A tribute in Toronto
Cruz's appearance at "Bunker" came less than 24 hours after she received the Special Tribute award from TIFF, one of the most prominent film festivals in the world.
On the red carpet for that award, Cruz told EFE she was thinking especially that night of everyone who had supported her since the start of her career.
Her time at TIFF was set to continue on Tuesday, when she was due to return to the red carpet alongside Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi for the North American premiere of "La Bola Negra."
