In 2015 , Cruz co-produced and starred in the Spanish drama film '' Ma Ma '' , directed by Julio Medem . In it , she plays Magda , a gutsy mother and unemployed teacher , who is diagnosed with breast cancer , a role which Cruz later cited as " one of the most complex , beautiful characters I 've ever been offered , the most difficult . " The melodrama was screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival , where it received generally negative reviews for its weepie story line . Cruz however was praised for her " aces performance , " which earned her an eighth Goya nomination at the 30th awards ceremony
Goya
30th Goya Awards
Penélope Cruz