Photos capture alleged Bardem-Cruz romance

MADRID, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Spain's Hola magazine has published photos of stars Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz kissing passionately while on a trip to the Maldive Islands, EFE has said.

The collection of exclusive photos is titled "Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, Love in Paradise."

Hola said the couple took advantage of "a break in their Hollywood commitments to prepare their escape."

Until now, Bardem has managed to keep his private life out of the spotlight.

Cruz, however, has made headlines for her high-profile retlationships with Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey.

Bardem and Cruz both appeared in Bigas Luna's 1992 film, "Jamon, jamon."

"During all those years, each lived their own life, they fell in love and out of love with their respective partners, worked hard and managed to conquer Hollywood," becoming the only Spaniards to be nominated for Oscars as best actors, Hola noted.

Bardem and Cruz have roles in Woody Allen's new, as-yet-untitled Spanish project and both are set to star in the upcoming movie musical, "Nine."

Bardem has two eagerly awaited films coming out soon -- "Love in the Time of Cholera" and "No Country for Old Men."