Sean Penn says Oscar statue he gifted to Volodymyr Zelenskyy 'ready to be melted' whenever Ukraine president wishes
BERLIN, GERMANY: Actor Sean Penn has reiterated his offer to melt down one of his Oscars to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Penn said that this gesture is a gift to the President and further added that he did this because he was inspired by his “continuing shame towards the Motion Picture Academy.” Penn's documentary 'Superpower', regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, has premiered recently in at the Berlin International Film Festival. Penn has been working on this documentary since 2021. 'Superpower' is directed by Aaron Kaufman and Sean Penn.
'Superpower' is a documentary that details how the conflict started and what the stakes are. The documentary also features Penn interviewing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 'Superpower' shows the conditions of Kyiv immediately after the invasion and the documentary also features Penn, interviewing soldiers, ambassadors, and journalists. The official website of Berlinale states that 'Superpower' is more than just a documentary by stating, "'Superpower' is the chronicle of a film project that reality forced to change into something less controllable but more meaningful."
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'Small gesture between two friends'
Sean Penn premiered his documentary 'Superpower' at the Berlin International Film Festival and Penn told the press on Saturday that the Oscar is currently in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, and added that the trophy can be melted at any time the president wishes to, according to Deadline. "The Oscar is there in his office, and ready to be melted any time he wants to melt it." Penn further added that the gift is inspired by his shame towards the Oscars. He further added that it is a small gesture between two friends.
"A small gesture, symbolic between two friends – inspired by my continuing shame towards the leadership of the Motion Picture Academy in choosing to present Will Smith smacking Chris Rock rather than the greatest symbol of cinema and humanity living today. Their loss," he called the gift.
A symbolic gesture of support
The documentary 'Superpower' is releasing a year after the invasion of Russia started. It is to be noted that the two-time Oscar winner also visited Ukraine last November as a gesture to extend his support to the country. Penn has given one of his Oscars to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as symbolic support and he even requested the President to bring it back to Malibu when they win the war. During this visit, Penn was awarded the Order of Merit of the third degree.
The 2023 Berlin International Film Festival will commence on February 16 and will end on February 26.