Pedro Almodovar’s “Volver” won best picture and earned Penelope Cruz the best actress award Sunday at the Goya Awards, Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars.
“Volver,” a supernatural tale of strong women in a small Spanish town, had received 14 nominations, but gothic fairy tale “Pan’s Labyrinth,” directed by Mexico’s Guillermo del Toro, won the most awards — seven including best original screenplay.
“My relationship with Spain as a filmmaker is one of profound admiration and respect … that began with the hand of Pedro (Almodovar),” del Toro said as he accepted his award.
Cruz, also an Oscar nominee for best actress, got a little choked up as she accepted her award.
“This award is very important, very special for me,” Cruz said. “I am going to try not to cry because I’m a disaster, and these 30 seconds are not going to be enough.”
The best actor award went to Juan Diego of Spain for “Vete de mi,” while “The Queen,” by Stephen Frears of England, won for best European film.
“Pan’s Labyrinth” also won awards for best cinematography, special effects, makeup, sound, montage and best new actress for its young protagonist, Ivana Baquero.
“I want to thank Guillermo del Toro, I love him, I love him and he was my mentor throughout the film,” the 12-year-old actress said.
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