Cruz: I love everything about Allen

Penelope Cruz has spoken of her delight at working with Woody Allen for a second time.

The actress, who starred in 2008's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, appears as free-spirited prostitute Anna in To Rome With Love.

Speaking from the red carpet at the opening night of the Los Angeles Film Festival, Penelope said she was grateful for the roles the writer and director created for her.

"I love everything about Woody, I love him, he's been so kind to me," she said.

"I love his mind, I love his sense of humour, he's one of the funniest people in the world and I can't believe he keeps giving me these jewels, these beautiful characters, and puts the confidence in me to play them. I'm very grateful to him."

To Rome With Love, a comedy following different groups of people in the Italian capital, also stars Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Roberto Benigni, and Woody himself.

It also features Italian actress Allesandra Mastronardi, who confessed the reality of being Woody's newest muse still hasn't sunk in.

The 26-year-old walked the red carpet alongside her co-stars but admitted she was finding the experience "weird".

"I don't believe it, this is so, so weird for me," she laughed. "This is my first time in LA, it's my first time here in the USA - everything is the first time."