Of the filming itself she says, “It was an incredible experience, because I am in a blinding spotlight, and I couldn’t see beyond it. It was all darkness, and I’m performing on a mirrored platform. All I could think was, ‘I’m never going to do this again,’ which made me unhappy. I’m terrified and the fear is kind of beautiful, and I so don’t want to disappoint Rob Marshall, the director.”

The movie “Nine,” an adaptation of Tommy Tune’s Broadway hit (based on Fellini’s famous film “8 1/2”), also stars Sophia Loren, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Stacy Ferguson and Kate Hudson. It is one of 2009’s most eagerly awaited events. And it is another Weinstein Company effort. Ah, yes, the world  is breathing easier!

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I said to Penélope that I’d always thought a dance background — no matter what one eventually ends up doing — improves discipline in general. "You are right! A dancer’s life is hard. And so is an actor’s, though most people don’t see it that way. They only see the glamour. But that discipline helps when I have to work 17 hours a day, or it’s cold, or hot or horribly uncomfortable in some way. Or just boring, which filmmaking often is. I feel I am more prepared to face an onset adversity.”

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Up next for Penélope is “Broken Embraces,” once again paired with Pedro Almodóvar. She raves about her friend, “He is a genius. He writes the most incredible roles for women. In this one, ‘Broken Embraces,’ I am an actress playing two roles, one comedy, one drama, one real-life, one the movie she is making. It’s complex, mind-blowing. I am so lucky to have him in my life.

“He is already writing another screenplay. He never stops. And he never compromises. He is totally honest. I think he would give his life for his movies; he is that passionate. He loves all movies, and sees everything. We are both obsessed with movies, actually.”

I ask if, in her passion for movies, she can still lose herself in them, forget that she herself is an actress.

“Oh, yes I can. I don’t think I will ever lose that, especially if the movie is good. Then I never think about the technique or the camera or lighting or I wonder how many takes that took, or why wasn’t this a close-up or long-shot. I become an ordinary audience.”

But what if the movie isn’t good? Penélope laughs, “Oh, God. Then I totally exhaust myself picking it apart. I leave the theater feeling I’d just come off that set, on a bad day. It’s much easier for me when the movie is good!”

I congratulate Penélope again on her nomination. I ask, because it’s the tiresome but necessary question, if it really matters to her if she wins. “Hmmm … what can I say? It’s not a lie that it is an honor to be nominated, and if I don’t win, I won’t be any less honored, but … look, ask anyone who is nominated. No matter what you think you feel about awards, when you’re there, sitting in that seat, with those people, all dressed up — of course you want to win!”

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.