This is reported by the Voice of America.
In the film, Penn documents the first stage of the Russian invasion. According to the original plan, the film was supposed to show the path of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from comedian to president. Instead, critics write that Superpower has become a documentary proof of the strength of the Ukrainian people in the face of the Russian invasion.
"When Penn was brought to the bunker in an unknown location of the presidential palace, the Russian invasion had already begun. Penn was talking to President Zelenskyy as explosions were heard in the city. He became an unintentional first-hand witness to this historic David vs. Goliath struggle. Through moments of levity, inspiration, and firsthand accounts, it becomes clear that Ukraine's superpower lies in the strength of its leader, its people, and ultimately its heart," emphasizes the Rotten Tomatoes film critic.
The preview screening of the film took place in Washington, DC on September 14 with the participation of the director himself, the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congressman Eric Swalwell, and Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova.
During his speech at the pre-screening, Sean Penn called on the White House to support Ukraine more decisively with weapons, saying that American officials need to "move beyond pure caution."
"If we don't have enough to maintain our own stockpile (of weapons - ed.), then the president should enact the Defense Production Act on behalf of the Ukrainians and supply them with everything now," Penn added in his speech, MSN quoted him as saying.
The release of the film comes as President Zelenskyy visits the United States this week, where he will attend a meeting of the UN General Assembly and meet with US President Joe Biden. At the same time, the Biden administration has asked Congress to approve more than USD 21 billion in additional defense and other assistance to Ukraine.
Sean Penn supported Ukraine immediately after Russia's invasion. He announced that his charitable organization CORE would provide Ukrainian refugees with all the necessary assistance.
Penn traveled to Ukraine immediately after the war broke out to meet with the President of Ukraine. He also visited a resident of a bombed-out house in Kyiv and visited Ukrainian soldiers at the front.
On February 16, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the opening of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. He was introduced via video link by American actor Sean Penn. It was at the Berlinale that the director presented his documentary Superpower, about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and read an emotional speech from the stage.