Sean Penn has called for a boycott of the 2022 Oscars if the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences vetoes Ukrainian President Vlodomir Zelensky’s intervention during the gala, to be held this Sunday at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
“If that happens, I will encourage all nominees to protest and boycott the awards,” the American actor said in an interview broadcast by CNN.
Sean, 61, has threatened to publicly “melt down” his statuettes if the academy decides not to give Zelensky a chance to speak.
“I myself will melt my statuettes”, told the interviewer, Jim Acosta.
Penn insisted that “the Oscars can do nothing more than give Zelensky the opportunity to speak to all of us.”
He then added: “I understand that the decision has been made not to do it. It’s not for me to say whether President Zelensky would have wanted it or not… If the Academy chose not to listen to the leaders of Ukraine who are getting bullets and bombs for us, along with the Ukrainian children they are protecting trying, so I think every one of those people and every part of that decision will have been the most obscene moment in all of Hollywood history.”
Sean argued that a rejection by Ukraine’s president “would encourage everyone involved – although I know it’s their night and I understand that – to protest and boycott the Oscars.” This is far more important than their time to show off.”
The actor said he prayed “that there aren’t arrogant people who consider themselves representatives of the greater good in my line of business and have decided not to have the leader of Ukraine. So I hope it doesn’t happen. And if it is.” In that case, I hope everyone will go.”
+ Travel, documentary
At the beginning of the Russian intervention in Ukraine, Sean Penn traveled to the occupied country to make a documentary about the historical event.
The two-time Oscar winner visited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office and attended a press conference held by Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister and Advisor to the Office of the Head of State.
During his trip to Ukraine, the protagonist of “Mystic River” spoke at the press conference with accredited journalists and “with our military he saw how we defend our country,” said an official statement from the Ukrainian government at the time.
“Sean Penn shows courage that many other politicians, including Western politicians, lack. The more people come to our country now, as true friends of Ukraine, supporting the freedom struggle, the sooner it will be possible to stop Russia’s treacherous attack. ‘ the official statement stated.
The actor and director has already visited Ukraine for the first time in November 2021 to prepare this documentary amid the tensions between Ukraine and Russia and it is not the first time that he has been involved in humanitarian operations or has given his opinion to conflict politicians.
In early March, the actor and director was spotted among thousands of people fleeing Ukraine in search of safety.
The Hollywood star had to leave the vehicle he was traveling in after getting stuck in traffic and ended up walking several kilometers with two of his companions until he reached the Polish border.
“Almost all the cars in this photo only carry women and children, most with no visible sign of luggage and with a car as their only valuable possession,” he commented on his Twitter account, along with a picture of him pulling suitcase on the way.