Penélope Cruz Recounts Near-Fatal Health Scare on Film Set

Penélope Cruz shared a harrowing personal experience at the Cannes Film Festival, recounting the moment she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm while preparing to film a demanding scene for her new movie, "La Bola Negra." The actress described the shock of the diagnosis, which came just minutes before she was due on set.

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Just as we were about to go on set, I was putting on my wig, and they told me, 'Oh, it looks like you have a brain aneurysm.'

"Just as we were about to go on set, I was putting on my wig, and they told me, 'Oh, it looks like you have a brain aneurysm,'" Cruz recalled to reporters. "I thought I was going to die. It was something completely surreal in my life." The 52-year-old actress described the overwhelming thoughts that consumed her in the dressing room.

Her revelation came just a day after the film premiered at Cannes, receiving a lengthy standing ovation. Cruz described the reception as "one of the strongest, most powerful moments I have ever experienced at the festival." The contrast between her private fear and the public triumph added significant weight to her Cannes experience, turning the festival's celebration into a personal victory over uncertainty.

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I thought I was going to die. It was something completely surreal in my life.

Despite her fear, Cruz displayed remarkable professionalism. Her first question to the doctor who delivered the news was whether she could continue with the physically demanding scenes. After receiving medical clearance for further tests, she decided to complete the scene. She did not inform the directors, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, until the following day. Later, to her immense relief, it turned out to be a false alarm.

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one of the strongest, most powerful moments I have ever experienced at the festival.