Actor vows to melt down statuettes if Ukrainian president is not offered a platform at Sunday's ceremony.
On Friday the Academy further tightened its rules on entry requirements, announcing that anyone within a five-day window of a positive test would be barred, even if they were now testing negative. Soon after Russian forces invaded Ukraine last month, Penn was seen in the country making a documentary for Vice about the war. “There is nothing greater that the Academy Awards could do than to give [Zelenskiy] an opportunity to talk to all of us,” Penn said.
One of the biggest questions looming over tonight's Academy Awards is how the show will address Ukraine. In the midst of Russia's unprovoked invasion of the ...
“If it turns out to be what is happening, I would encourage everyone involved, though it may be their moment, and I understand that, to celebrate their films, it is so much more importantly their moment to shine, and to protest and to boycott that Academy Awards. I myself, if it comes back to it, when I return, I will smelt mine in public,” Penn said. One of Ukraine’s biggest Hollywood supporters is Sean Penn, who met with Zelensky in the early days of the invasion and has been on the ground in Ukraine filming a documentary about the war. While there will almost certainly be some kind of tribute, rumors began to swirl over the weekend that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was attempting to get Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to remotely speak at the ceremony.
The actor and activist has denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine as “a most horrible mistake for all of humankind.”
“I grew up in a family that was opposed to [the war],” he said. If we allow it to fight alone, our soul as America is lost,” he said in a statement to The Washington Post last month. “Now, it is my understanding that a decision has been made not to do it.
Actor Sean Penn says he will destroy his Academy Award if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy isn't allowed to speak during the broadcast.
“You asked and it’s back!” the company tweeted. Penn said that although he was under the impression that Zelenskyy hadn’t been permitted to speak at the show, he hoped he was wrong. "I pray that’s not what happens."
As Ukraine remains under attack by Russia, he also called upon all the award winners to take a moment to protest if Zelenskyy is not given time to make an ...
Penn, once known for lines like “ hey, bud, let’s party,” is now making a documentary about the conflict for Vice Studios. He visited Ukraine last November, and at the beginning of March, said he had to cross the border into Poland walking miles on foot. The New York Post on Friday broke the news that Zelenskyy was in talks with the Academy and ABC about making “a video appearance” during the event. “Though it is their moment—and I understand that—to celebrate their films, it is so much more importantly their moment to shine, and to protest, and to boycott that Academy Awards.” He also said he “hopes everyone walks out” if there is no appearance by the Ukrainian president.
Actor Sean Penn has called for a boycott of the Academy Awards on Sunday if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky isn't a part of the award show's program.
If we allow it to fight alone, our soul as America is lost,” Penn said in a previous statement to The Washington Post. We invite you to join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter. “Now, it is my understanding that a decision has been made not to do it.
"There is nothing greater the Academy Awards could do than to give him that opportunity to talk to all of us," Penn said.