Penélope Cruz on why queer history must be discussed today

Penélope Cruz has said queer history remains “very necessary” to talk about as she reflected on the importance of new film La Bola Negra.

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.

Asked why the story was particularly important to tell in today's world, Cruz said: “Because it is life. Movies are about life, the real world.”

Penelope Cruz attended the La Bola Negra London Film Festival screening at the BFI Southbank in London

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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.

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.

“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.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Javier Calvó, Penélope Cruz and Javier Ambrossi attend the "La Bola Negra" Gala during the 70th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on October 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI)

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“I don't see any other way than having respect for everyone else. It's just not a possibility for me,” she said.

La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, follows three interconnected stories set across different periods of Spanish 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.

Javier Calvo (left) and Javier Ambrossi at the La Bola Negra London Film Festival screening

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His unfinished play provides the starting point for a film examining queer lives and experiences that have historically been silenced or overlooked.

The ensemble cast includes Cruz, Glenn Close, Miguel Bernardeau, Guitarricadelafuente, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas.

The film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where Calvo and Ambrossi shared the award for best 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.

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.

Bernardeau reflected on the experience of being part of the Oscar-submitted film

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He told The Standard: “It's amazing. It feels like a time I would wanna treasure in my heart forever.

“Poetry is the opposite of war in a way. This film speaks about possibility, life, love, death.”

He added that he hoped the film would reach and move audiences when it arrived in cinemas internationally.

Guitarricadelafuente, who makes his acting debut in the film as Sebastián, also spoke about the importance of telling queer stories that have gone unheard.

Guitarricadelafuente made his acting debut in the film as Sebastián

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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.”

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”.

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.

Guitarricadelafuente added: “Even though we think that we have achieved so much, I think that very dark times are coming ahead,” he said. “We need to be prepared for what can come in the future.”