Sean Penn, an American filmmaker, has called for a boycott of Sunday’s Oscars ceremony if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not included, claiming he would smelt his own awards in public if that is the case.
Last month, the actor and activist was in Ukraine filming a documentary about the Russian invasion. On Saturday, during a CNN appearance, he responded to rumours of a possible virtual appearance by the former comedian turned president by issuing an ultimatum to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Accept Zelensky’s invitation or risk a walkout.
“From what I understand, a decision has been made not to proceed. If the academy chooses not to pursue the Ukrainian leaders who are willing to take bullets and bombs for us, as well as the Ukrainian children they are attempting to protect, then I believe that every single one of those people, and every single aspect of that decision, will have been the most obscene moment in all of Hollywood history,” he told CNN‘s Jim Acosta.
Penn, who won best actor awards for the films “Mystic River” (2003) and “Milk” (2008), has urged viewers to boycott the ceremony in protest if Zelensky is not included, stating, “I will smelt [my awards] in public.”
The statuettes are solid bronze with a 24-karat gold plating.
ICYMI: Actor Sean Penn says the Oscars should be boycotted if the ceremony’s planners have decided against having Zelensky on the program. pic.twitter.com/4LI2YIiKcD
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 26, 2022
Penn has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as a “heinous error for all of humanity.” He met Zelensky last month while filming in Ukraine, stating that Zelensky and the Ukrainian people “have risen as historic symbols of courage and principle.”
“Ukraine is the proverbial tip of the spear in terms of democratically embracing dreams. If we allow it to fight alone, our America’s soul will be lost,” he said last month in a statement to The Washington Post.
Russia is facing a widespread backlash from the West. Since the invasion began in late February, more than 380 companies have announced their intention to withdraw, scale back, or halt operations in Russia, according to a Yale School of Management database. This month, the International Chess Federation made a historic decision to withdraw tournaments from Russia and Belarus. It then suspended one of the world’s top chess players for publicly endorsing Putin.
Penn has a long history of meddling in foreign affairs. He is well-known for his political activism and humanitarian work throughout the world, including relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and the 2012 Pakistan floods.
According to CNN, the actor’s antiwar stance developed as a result of watching the Vietnam War unfold on television with his brothers as a child. “I grew up in an anti-war family,” he explained.