Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a 2008 romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Woody Allen, starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Rebecca Hall, and Scarlett Johansson. The plot follows two American friends—the practical Vicky and the spontaneous Cristina—who spend a summer in Barcelona, where they become entangled with a charming artist, Juan Antonio, and his volatile ex-wife, María Elena. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2008, and released in the US on August 15, the film became a commercial hit, grossing $96 million against a $15 million budget, making it one of Allen's highest-grossing films. It received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for Penélope Cruz's performance, which earned her the Academy Award, BAFTA, and Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, alongside three other nominations. Shot in Barcelona, Avilés, and Oviedo, it marked Allen's fourth consecutive production outside the United States.