On Thursday, February 24, 2022, a few hours after the Russian invasion ordered by Vladimir Putin, Sean Penn was photographed in Kyiv, while the Ukrainian capital is currently the target of bombardments. The actor and director would prepare a documentary on the conflict.
Sean Penn traveled to Kyiv
As the Russian offensive has started on Ukrainian territory and the armed forces are advancing towards Kyiv, Sean Penn is currently in the country, according to information from variety. The actor was photographed in the capital on Thursday, February 24, 2022. He was attending a press conference during which government spokespersons spoke about the situation. The two-time Oscar-winning actor and director also interviewed one-on-one with President Volodymyr Zelenskyas the latter said in an Instagram story relayed by The Parisian.
In a message posted on Facebook the office of the Ukrainian president said, quoted by CNews :
Sean Penn came to Kyiv specifically to record all the events unfolding in Ukraine as a documentary filmmaker and to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country.
Sean Penn and Volodymyr Zelensky ©Instagram
In a press release issued by Newsweek the Ukrainian Embassy added:
Sean Penn shows a courage that many others, especially Western politicians, lack. The more such people there are in our country, true friends of Ukraine, who support the struggle for freedom, the sooner it will be possible to stop Russia’s treacherous attack.
A documentary on the Russian invasion in preparation
According to variety, Sean Penn would prepare a documentary on the Russian invasion produced by Vice Studios. In November 2021, the director of Crossing Guard, The Pledge, or Into the Wild had already traveled to Ukraine to meet fighters on the border with Russia.
The actor of Mystic River East is far from being his first militant action. In 2003, the star had traveled to Iraq to strongly denounce the American intervention. In 2005, he rescued victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. After the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, he also wanted to act on the spot.
