Penelope Cruz covers the latest issue of Tatler. Tatler has been churning out some interesting covers lately, but this one is just sort of blandly pretty. I think so highly of Penelope’s beauty and her face can take a lot – a lot of makeup, hats, sunglasses, anything. But I guess they just decided to go “pretty.” Anyway, as much as I think Penelope is beautiful, I’ve also grown used to her sometimes odd takes on important issues in the film community, like her noncommittal stance on Woody Allen. Penelope tells Tatler that she thinks compliments should be part of the conversation on sexism. As in, it’s okay to tell women they’re pretty without it being sexist. Which… okay, we weren’t arguing about THAT. Some highlights from Tatler:
On the madness of fame: ‘Everything is out of proportion in this job. The size of the cinema screen is out of proportion, and so is the way you’re going to be looked at. To survive in this business you have to distance yourself from the good things and the bad things.’
On bad reviews: ‘If you only got “yeses” and good reviews, and you didn’t sometimes have films that were received in a more cold way? You would not have the same hunger.’
On not speaking about her husband Javier Bardem: ‘[It was] a really good decision for us, not to talk about our relationship. It would feel very strange to do it a different way. I just couldn’t do it.’
On inequality: ‘For us to be commenting, “oh, no, in 2019, you cannot say a woman looks good?” Are we f**king crazy?’ This, Cruz considers, diverts from the central issue – she’s not afraid to make that clear.
She reads about hormones: ‘I read a lot and in the last few years it’s all been books about medicine, about nutrition, about parenting, about hormones. Hormones rule the world. There are times in the life of a woman that have to be acknowledged, and understood and called by their name. There are too many taboos surrounding women’s bodies and I think it equals a big lack of respect. You might be thinking, “What is the relationship between hormones and respect?” It’s completely related. Words like “period”, “post-partum depression”, “menopause”. Even today, those words, you bring them up at a dinner table, everybody gets nervous. Even if it’s a group of women, if men are also at the table, the energy gets very nervous.’
[From Tatler & the Daily Mail]
It’s 2019 and if a man wants to compliment a woman, he should. The problem is that so many men don’t understand the difference between a compliment and being an utter creep. There’s a difference between “you look nice” and a guy following you down the street to stare at you and tell you he likes your ass. You see the difference, men and Penelope Cruz? As for her talk of hormones… she’s right that those are still “taboo” discussions, especially when men are involved.
Photos courtesy of WENN, cover courtesy of Tatler.
Something gets lost in translation with her.
I dont think so. Her husband has questionable thoughts too.
ITA, and I’ve thought this forever. I’ve also never been a fan of her work, always have kinda wondered what the big fuss is.
You see, I really loved her, especially because she started with Pedro Almodovar whose films I really loved. But she part of an Iberian culture where the patriarch is pretty much a thing and him telling you you look good is a “special moment”. That’s probably why Tom Cruise was an option for her at a point.
I still have a sweet spot for her as an actress though.
She so right about the “nervous tension” though. So right.
Well I wouldn’t want to talk about periods at the dinner table. Or urinal issues. Or prostate. Or erectal disfunction.
But post patrum depression seems ok, I guess, as a topic. I mean a bit morbid , as any depression. But ok if you want to share, I guess…
True, plus I’m hesitant to talk about periods, PMS, etc. around men because it can sound uncouth and because there are so many stereotypes about women being hysterical and irrational because of their hormones.
I don’t really know Penelope Cruz’s views on much of anything, but I do agree with her comment on how women’s bodies and their functions are viewed by both men and women. Maybe talking about it more with younger people, like teens, in a nonchalant way would make those topics less taboo for future generations.
Menstruation is considered in society to be much more shameful and disgusting than urination, defecation or anything to do with male genitalia or male reproductive/sexual issues. Anything to do with menstruation or female sexual issues, reproductive issues or genitalia is considered much more repulsive and taboo at any social situation. Therein lies the problem and the inequality and the social/traditional misogyny and hatred of the natural processes of the female body.
a coworker once told me i looked nice, i said thank you and then quickly backtracked and was like “am i allowed to say that” and i was kind of fed up that day and was like “well are you telling me that because you want something from me and if you don’t get it you will end my career, spread false rumors about me or assault me?” and he was bewildered. i was like “b/c telling someone their nice is only bad when you follow up your statements with some entitled, rapist bullshit. you’re a nice guy. just be nice. you’re fine”
I always say a compliment should reflect the relationship you have with the person that you are complimenting.
Like, a colleague or acquaintance can say things like: Nice new dress! or “Oh, you got a new haircut! Looks good!
A friend can say things like: You have pretty eyes
My SO can tell me I look sexy
If you don’t know me, don’t make compliments. I don’t need complete strangers commenting on me or my looks, no matter how good the intentions. You wanna flirt? Smile. And see if I smile back. Simple as that.
I compliment people back: “I like your hair; are you using something different, or a new product in it?” Or “I like your tie. Cool color/pattern.” If they seem surprised or are taken aback, then I know that they were complimenting me out of something else other than plain niceness.
You should write a book on it! 😉 There seems to be a lot of confused people on this when it should be rather simple. It’s like: “”re you a complete stranger or someone who’s strictly on a professional relationship with me (like my physician??), then just don’t. Could your comment come off as creepy? Don’t.”