US movie star Sean Penn lays down the law with Academy Awards organizers by threatening to destroy his Oscars if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not invited to attend Hollywood’s biggest annual event. Speaking from Warsaw on Saturday night in an interview with CNN, Penn said his understanding was that a decision had been made not to include a message from Zelensky in the awards show. He called on others to join him in boycotting the event if Ukraine’s leader is not asked to speak.
If that turns out to be what’s happening I would encourage everyone involved to know that while it may be their time – and I get that – to celebrate their films it’s even more important their time to shine and protest. and boycott the Penn Academy Awards said CNN host Jim Acosta. The star promised to make a statement using the best actor Oscars he won for his roles in ‘Milk’ and ‘Mystic Evil’ if he didn’t get in the way. If it comes to that when I get back I’ll smell mine in public. Penn said. I pray that this did not happen. I pray that there were no arrogant people who thought of themselves as representatives of the greater good in my industry who did not decide to consult with the leadership in Ukraine. So I’m just going to hope that that didn’t happen, and I hope everyone comes out if it does.
Penn went so far as to say that the decision against inviting Zelensky to speak amid the conflict between Ukraine and Russia would be the most obscene moment in Hollywood history. The 61-year-old actor arrived in Kiev last month just before Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine to film footage for a documentary about the tensions surrounding the former Soviet republic. He posted a message on Twitter on February 28 regarding his harrowing evacuation from Ukraine to Poland.
Penn was not nominated for any gongs at this year’s Academy Awards. He won his last Oscar in 2008 for ‘Milk’. The 2022 ceremony is scheduled to take place Sunday evening in Los Angeles. Zelensky would likely have to attend remotely if he chooses to accept an invitation. He has given countless media interviews and video addresses from Kiev as he campaigns for more international support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Penn reportedly met with Zelensky earlier this week and attended a news conference.
