Penelope wins Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Vicky Cristina Barcelona has put Penelope Cruz back in the international spotlight and helps keep Barcelona as one of the places to be in Europe.

Penelope Cruz, “the Spanish enchantress” has just become the first Spanish woman to win an Oscar for her role as Maria Elena, the gun-toting borderline psychotic ex wife of Javier Bardem, her off-screen boyfriend. This comedy/psychodrama, which hopefully will get Woody Allen back on track, was filmed predominately in Barcelona. The great Catalan city—which critics say has had an exhilarating effect on the New York director— is more than just a passive “Gaudi and guitars” backdrop; she takes on a kind of mysterious, romantic protagonism. The real-life Penelope is from Madrid but is quite a fan of Barcelona; several of her iconic films have been made here and, according to the local papers, she especially likes to have breakfast in the modernist bakery Escribà, wander around the Born, and shop in the Raval. Many of her favorite hangouts are near the hotel and can be visited with the leisure they deserve in the “24-hours in Barcelona” section of this blog which will be posted soon.

Vicky and Cristina are two archetypical summer tourists in Barcelona. So first see the film for the virtual-tourist experience. Then, come to Barcelona for the real thing. Track some of the scenes and imbibe the atmosphere of the city. We can’t guarantee a Javier Bardem or a Penelope Cruz as your guide through the mysteries of Barcelona. But we can guarantee you a wonderful trip-- whether you are a romantic adventurer a la Scarlett Johansson or a stable student of art a la Rebecca Hall or possess a little of each of them.