Sean Penn To Star In Ukrainian Film: Director Says Actor 'One Of Ukraine's Great Friends'

A movie set to highlight different perspectives of animals witnessing the invasion of Ukraine has added actor Sean Penn to its roster of talent.

What Happened: A supporter of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Penn previously filmed a documentary about the invasion of the country by Russia and was in the country filming at the time the war began in February 2022.

Penn will now move to the other side of the camera with a role in the anthology film “War Through The Eyes of Animals.”

The film is a nine-part anthology with nine directors from Ukraine telling a story of the war, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The stories will center on the perspective of animals that find themselves involved in the war.

Director Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi is directing the ninth and final segment, which stars Penn. Slaboshpytskyi is the director of “The Tribe,” which won several awards and found itself a darling at film festivals globally.

Penn will play an American sound engineer who is in Ukraine when Russia invades on Feb. 24, 2022.

The final segment of “War Through The Eyes of Animals” will film in the summer of 2023 in both Ukraine and Los Angeles, California.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this film. It is a great honor for me to collaborate with the incredible actor and outstanding person, and one of Ukraine’s greatest friends, Sean Penn,” Slaboshpytskyi said.

Producer Oleg Kokhan said the stories in the film are based on real events.

“This underscores the relevance of the film’s ecocide theme in Ukraine,” Kokhan said.

The movie is expected to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.

Related Link: Highly Anticiapted Documenatry On Ukraine War And Zelenskyy To Premiere At This Film Festival 

Why It’s Important: Similar to the character he is playing in the new movie, Penn found himself in Ukraine at the time of the invasion.

Originally filming a documentary of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his rise from actor to president, Penn turned his film into “Superpower.”

The movie, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, highlights Zelenskyy's wartime leadership. The movie was given a standing ovation from the audience at the acclaimed film festival.

Penn has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, often encouraging more support both financially and through military equipment from countries like the United States as the country fights Russia.

The inclusion of Penn in the new film could help it generate additional buzz at film festivals and also help in the potential for a U.S. release. 

Read Next: Zelenskyy Makes Chilling Prediction On Putin's End: 'The Predators Will Eat A Predator' 

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