Sean Penn launched a scathing critique of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Berlin today (Saturday 18), calling him a “creepy little bully” and a “war criminal”.
Speaking at the press conference for his documentary Superpower, which debuted as a Berlinale Special Gala last night, Penn was asked what he likes and does not like about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who is a major subject of the film.
“I don’t like a creepy little bully threatening him [Zelensky] and his country,” said Penn. “I do like that there’s no threat that scares Zelensky or the Ukrainians.”
He later declined to even name Putin, responding to a question by calling him “the war criminal to whom you refer.” It became clear early in making the film that attempts to engage with the Russian regime would not bear fruit; “we’d have been better served talking to a wall,” said Penn.
Superpower depicts the events of the last year in Ukraine, from the Russian invasion of February 24 through to recent missile attacks. It was never intended as an impartial film, according to Penn. “This is not an unbiased film because this is not an unambiguous war,” said the filmmaker. “The word propaganda can be used as a disparagement. As part of showing the truth of Ukraine’s absolute unity in pursuing all those things without which life is not worth living, then I’m very happy to be considered a propagandist. We made an unapologetically biased film, because that was the true story we found.”
Aaron Kaufman, director on the film alongside Penn, concurred. “The movie was never meant to be the definitive history of Ukraine,” he said. “It was never going to be the definitive movie about war or Russia. It was our experience, having not been well-educated about Ukraine – we had a very shallow, US-focused view of the region. What the movie became was our journey to find those truths.”
Oscar melting
Penn addressed his claim in March last year that he would melt down his Oscar statuettes – best actor for Mystic River in 2003 and Milk in 2008 – if the Academy did not allow Zelensky to speak at the 2022 ceremony, which the Ukrainian leader did not.
“The Oscar is there in [Zelensky’s] office – it’s ready to be melted any time he wants it to be melted,” said Penn. “This was over-covered – a small gesture between two friends.”
Penn did say he has “continuing shame towards the leadership of the Academy of Motion Pictures, in terms of choosing to present Will Smith smacking Chris Rock, instead of the greatest symbol of cinema and humanity living today on their broadcast – their loss.”
Superpower is produced by Aldamisa Entertainment, Endeavor Content, Vice Studios and Fifth Season, which also handles international sales. “We’d been working on the film right up until this festival; we will now be looking at distribution and buyers,” said Penn. “In an ideal world it’s fast and furious. I’d like to think when we leave this room, some buyers will just say yes; we haven’t had that conversation [yet].”
He added that the Superpower team are collaborating with Israeli-American director Evgeny Afineevsky, director of documentaries Winter On Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom and Freedom On Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom – “we’re an extended family supporting each other’s films to get the various perspectives out.”
Asked if he had considered following in the footsteps of actors including Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Cynthia Nixon by becoming a politician, Penn quoted Irish playwright Brendan Behan, saying “I could never be a politician because I’ve only got one face.”
Penn addressed the topic of cultural boycotts, with multiple businesses ceasing to trade with Russia over the last year; but European sellers still divided on business with the invading country.
“We have to stop debating this idea, whether it be art or sport,” said Penn. He referenced an impassioned speech by Competition juror Golshifteh Farahani, when the Iranian actress referred to “the necessity of art as oxygen.”
“We have to find ways to support artists all over the world; right now, there is no room for anything that involves one rouble,” said Penn. “Increasingly we’ve seen the German government has been clearer-minded in beginning to move support to Ukraine.”
The main takeaway he wanted the international community to take regarding Ukraine came down to four words – “long-range precision weapons.”
A demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine will take place on the Berlinale Palast red carpet on Friday 24, one year to the day since the Russian invasion. The Berlinale continues until Sunday, February 26.
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