Renowned actor and two-time Academy Award winner, Sean Penn, found himself in a unique situation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While filming a documentary initially centered around a comedy superstar-turned-president, Penn’s project took an unexpected turn, capturing the existential threat to democracy.
Penn vividly recalls the day Zelenskyy’s demeanor changed during their time together in the presidential palace bunker at the start of the invasion in February of last year. “I met him the day before, and when he entered the room on the day of the invasion, to our cameras, it felt like he was born for this, and it was a seamless rise,” Penn revealed in an interview with “CBS Mornings” on Wednesday. “He was a different person, cellularly, than the one I had met the day before. And he possessed, as the Ukrainian people do, unwavering determination and resolve.”
Their astonishing encounter forms the basis of the new film, “Superpower,” which chronicles the Ukraine war. Penn initially envisioned a lighthearted tale about Zelenskyy, having met with the president over Zoom long before the Russian invasion loomed. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filming was delayed, and their first face-to-face meeting took place on February 23, 2020, a day before the full-scale assault. Despite the ongoing crisis, Zelenskyy honored their commitment to begin filming on February 24.
When questioned about Zelenskyy’s rationale for agreeing to film amidst the dire circumstances, Penn commented, “I think that he understands that effective communication is crucial in modern warfare. He believed that communication tools like this documentary would play a part in the war effort.” Penn made seven trips to Ukraine for the film, which will premiere on Paramount+ on Monday, September 18. During his time there, he experienced a sense of unity and community that he believes Americans were promised in their own democracy.
“Ukraine exhibits the most civil democracy, the tightest community, and the greatest unity that I’ve ever witnessed in the world. It epitomizes the aspiration we hold for our own democracy,” Penn proclaimed. He hopes that the film will provide Americans with a wider context and understanding of the profound impact of events unfolding in Ukraine. According to Penn, it is not as simple as viewing financial aid as mere investment in another country but rather a crucial investment in America’s future.
Penn passionately warns that if Americans fail to support Ukraine in its fight, there will be significant consequences. “We’re gonna lose a lot,” he declared.
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