Penelope Cruz says Greece left a permanent mark on her, and she wants to come back, this time with the Greek language un...

Penelope Cruz says Greece left a permanent mark on her, and she wants to come back, this time with the Greek language under her belt. In a recent interview on the Greek show "Studio 4," Cruz opened the conversation by greeting her hosts in Greek, saying "Efharisto, parakalo," before admitting she dreams of learning the language properly. "I love your accent so much," she said. "It's an accent I want to work on in the future for a role. I think it's the hardest, but it's so beautiful." Cruz spent an extended period on Kefalonia while filming "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," and she made clear it was more than just a work trip. Her mother, brother, and sister all came with her and stayed for a long time, turning the production into something of a family chapter. "We fell in love with Kefalonia," she said. "We managed to go to Ithaca too, something very special for us. All my life I heard stories connected to my name, Penelope, so it was truly special." Her mother, she added, developed a deep personal connection to the country as well. "My mother also feels very connected to Greece, she adored it. We love Greece very much and especially Kefalonia." Cruz also spoke warmly about the late Irene Papas, who she met during that period. "Irene Papas was a wonderful woman. She was very kind to us and a very open person. She was a legend, an iconic figure." Cruz said she had grown up hearing her parents talk about Papas, so meeting her in person left a lasting impression. Cruz is currently promoting "The Invite," a comedy directed by Olivia Wilde and also starring Seth Rogen and Edward Norton. She plays Pina, a therapist and sexologist. The film is now showing in Greek cinemas. #PenelopeCruz #Kefalonia #Greece