Near the beginning of “Superpower,” Sean Penn attempts to anticipate the criticism generated by his previous trips to conflict zones. “Even though it’s weathered,” he says in the narration, “my famous face gives me access to places and people I might not have known otherwise.” »
This is undoubtedly true, although in the past he has used this access for softball lob questions to El Chapo. When it comes to chronicling the war in Ukraine, the subject of this documentary Penn made with Aaron Kaufman, it’s hard to deny the actor’s mission. Like the French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy, who makes his own documentaries on the war, Penn seems to have one eye in the mirror, but at least he is taking action.
“Superpower” began as a film about the unlikely presidency of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and his journey from comic actor to politician. Much of the first part consists of documents compiled by Penn from the period before the invasion. Experts expose the complexities of the country’s history in the 21st century. Ukrainians reflect on the legacy of the Maidan protests and express skepticism about Zelensky’s potential.
Penn pulled off a coup by getting an on-camera interview with Zelensky on the first day of the Russian invasion, and he filmed him on two additional occasions, in a video interview and in person during a later visit. Zelensky’s words – about his country’s needs, about how his 9-year-old prematurely became a “wise politician” – are often familiar but always moving. Penn’s trip to the front is potentially more of a stunt, one that seems as much to prove his courage as understand history.
Superpower
Unclassified. In English and Ukrainian, with subtitles. Duration: 1h55. Watch on Paramount+.
