Penélope Cruz Says Her Family Loves Greece

By Elena Marika Konstantinou

Oct 24, 2026

Penélope Cruz loves Greece, and it turns out the whole family is in on it. In an exclusive interview with ERT's "Studio 4" on Friday, October 23, she looked back on filming Captain Corelli's Mandolin in Greece, the relatives who came along, and the island that won them over: Kefalonia.

The chat happened online while she was promoting The Invite, Olivia Wilde's film, which ERT notes opened in Greek cinemas on July 2, 2026, through Spentzos Films. ERT's Alexandros Romanos Lizardos joked that it was a pity their "session" lasted about five minutes instead of 45. Fair complaint.

In the film, Cruz plays Pinia, a therapist who is also a sex therapist. She told ERT she is a big believer in psychotherapy. "It has helped me so much in my life," she said.

Then the conversation turned to Greece. "I have wonderful memories of my work in Greece, because many members of my family came with me," Cruz said, in quotes translated here from the Greek published by ERT. "We fell in love with Kefalonia."

They also made it to Ithaca, which hits different when your name is Penelope. "We also managed to go to Ithaca, something very special for us," she said. "All my life I heard stories about everything connected to my name, Penelope, so it was truly special."

And her mom? Still hooked. "And my mother feels very attached to Greece. She adored it," Cruz said. "My brother, my sister and my mother stayed there with me for a long time. We love Greece very much, and especially Kefalonia." Relatable. The Ionian has that effect on people.

Cruz worked alongside Irene Papas on the film, and the interviewer pointed out that this year marks four years since Papas's death. Cruz did not hold back. "She was a wonderful woman. She was very kind to us and a very open person. She was a legend, an iconic figure," she said.

The admiration started long before they met. "I remember how impressed I was when I met her, because all my life I had heard my parents talk about her," Cruz said. "I have only beautiful memories of her, and of the whole shoot in Greece."

And then came the best moment of the interview. After they swapped a few words in Greek, Cruz admitted she had drifted off during a question because she was busy studying the interviewer's accent. "It's an accent I want to work on in the future, for a role," she said. "I think it's the hardest, but it's so beautiful!" Proto Thema also caught her saying "Ευχαριστώ, παρακαλώ" (thank you, please) in Greek.

She even has a plan. Cruz said she was thinking she should get the interviewer's contact details, so that if she ever needs to prepare for a Greek character, she can ask for his advice.