"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" is Woody Allen’s latest film starring Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall.

The two protagonists are best friends despite their being so different - Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson). The first is an educated brunette doing academic research in Barcelona and the latter is an open minded rather impulsive blonde.

But the most intriguing character of the movie is Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), a handsome painter who has a quite disturbed former spouse - Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz).

The two girlfriends fall in love with the painter being unaware of his ex-witfe’s existence and their agitated relationship. The movie is about passion, happiness and love in all its ambiguity, but it would be a mistake to even try to reduce it to three words.

The 72-year-old filmmaker has directed more than 40 movies in about as many years and written all of them himself. He is a great New York lover.

He is currently in Los Angeles and doesn’t seem very pleased: "I'm like a fish out of water in a town like Los Angeles. You have to drive every place - you can't walk and the sun beats down on your head. I prefer to be in a more pedestrian city!"

Being a movie about a charming Barcelona escapade it was often related to "L'Auberge Espagnole" (2002).

According to Eric Lax's book, Woody Allen's favorite films are (in order): “Match Point” (2005), “The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985), “Stardust Memories” (1980), “Broadway Danny Rose” (1984), and “Manhattan Murder Mystery” (1993) although it is said that he refuses to watch any of his movies once they are released.