Acclaimed Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Sean Penn has travelled to Ukraine in order to film a documentary on the Russian invasion. Conditions in the Eastern European nation have reached alarming levels after the Russian Federation invaded recently, with numerous casualties already reported and many Ukrainian citizens involved in a mass exodus. While Russian president Vladimir Putin claimed the military operation is intended to “demilitarize” Ukraine, the world watched in horror as what is being called the worst European conflict since World War II began.
Given the tremendous impact that this invasion will have within Ukraine as well as throughout Europe and the world, it is indeed of considerable interest to journalists and documentarians. The 2015 Netflix documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight For Freedom was nominated for an Oscar and gained considerable acclaim on the festival circuit. That film highlighted the Ukrainian fight to have their president resign, a harrowing battle that the world watched unfold. And while Winter on Fire captured the intensity of that time, the current attack by Russia is something that will bring an even greater need to be documented. That being said, there’s an incredible amount of risk that comes with any film crew venturing into this particular war zone, which leaves the task up to a very select and dedicated few.
Perhaps unsurprisingly to some, one of the first people to journey to Ukraine in order to document the ongoing invasion is Penn. According to The Guardian, the 61-year-old actor and filmmaker is currently in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv making a documentary for Vice Studios. So far, Penn has met with Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, local journalists, and members of the military. He’s also received praise from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who issued a statement calling him one of the “true friends of Ukraine” and commending the Licorice Pizza star for his courage and honesty. A statement from Penn about his journey can be read below:
Already a brutal mistake of lives taken and hearts broken, and if he doesn’t relent, I believe Mr. Putin will have made a most horrible mistake for all of humankind. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have risen as historic symbols of courage and principle. Ukraine is the tip of the spear for the democratic embrace of dreams. If we allow it to fight alone, our soul as America is lost.
Those familiar with the more recent details of Penn’s career will know that this isn’t the first time he’s potentially thrown himself in harm’s way for a cause. Ever since the earthquake of 2010 devastated Haiti, Penn has been one of the few celebrities to remain dedicated to helping the island nation get back on its feet. A 2020 documentary called Citizen Penn examined the star’s work in Haiti, while an interview he did in 2016 with Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán was a tremendous source of controversy. Throughout it all, however, Penn’s persistence and apparent fearlessness in the face danger has provided him with a reputation for wanting to be on the frontline of historical events.
Exactly what lengths Penn will go to in order to get the story he’s looking for remains to be seen. Some may see this as a form of posturing and ego padding, both of which may be valid arguments. However, the fact remains that any journey to Ukraine at this point doesn’t come with a safety net. This is a war zone now and the might of the Russian military is not something to take lightly. He is definitely risking life and limb in this pursuit and for that reason Penn just might succeed at documenting a tragic and terrifying moment in history.
Source: The Guardian