Political and social issues have always interested two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn. Be it in his biopic about the pioneer of the US gay movement Harvey Milk (2008) or in the controversial film interview with the Mexican drug baron “El Chapo”. Now Ukraine is his new location. There he documents the ongoing Russian invasion.
According to Newsweek, the 61-year-old actor and director was in Ukraine last November. Here he filmed mainly in the Donbass region and spoke to soldiers and the local population.
Now pictures of Penn with helmet, camouflage and protective vest are published. After a brief return to the United States, he returned to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. There he took part in an official press conference. In a statement, the government of Ukraine said: “The director came to Kiev to document all the events that are unfolding and to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country. Sean Penn is among those supporting Ukraine at home. Our country is grateful that he is showing so much courage and honor.”
According to the US trade journal Variety, Penn is on the road for the Canadian-American Vice Studios, which is responsible for the documentary in collaboration with Vice World News and the production company Endeavor Content. According to initial information, he also spoke to Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, as well as to local observers and activists.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky praised the commitment to his country: “The more such people are in our country now, true friends of Ukraine, who support the struggle for freedom, the sooner it will be possible to stop Russia’s treacherous attack.” . The President’s Office also says: “Sean Penn is showing a courage that many others, especially some Western politicians, lack.”
Penn is now said to remain in the country. It is unclear whether he will continue filming in view of the violent attacks in the capital Kiev. After the closure of Ukrainian airspace to commercial aircraft and the destruction of some airports, leaving the country itself is likely to become dangerous.