EBN- American star Sean Penn blamed the Oscars for “restricting different cultural expression” and expressed his support for Iranian director Ali Abbasi’s new film about Donald Trump, The Apprentice, during the Marrakech Film Festival , where he was honored for his career.
“The Academy has shown extraordinary cowardice when it comes to freedom of expression, and in fact has played a major role in stifling imagination,” Penn said at a press conference, according to Variety.
“Awards ceremonies like the Oscars should be viewed as ‘TV first’, not as a true measure of the quality of a work of art,” he added. “So I don’t get too excited about the so-called Academy Awards, except for movies like The Florida Project or I’m Still Here or Emilia Perez, which I expect to do well this year.”
Regarding the controversy surrounding Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, Sean Penn noted that “works that are able to break through barriers should be celebrated.”
“It’s amazing how scared the so-called free film industry is of such a great film,” he added.
The academy declined to comment on Penn’s remarks when contacted by Variety.
Regarding his new works, Ben spoke about his latest film, September 5, which he produced, and praised its director, Tim Fellbaum, saying: “He did a wonderful job, and presented a perspective that we have never seen before.”
Ben received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Italian actress Valeria Golino, with whom he has been close friends since she appeared in his directorial debut, The Indian Runner, in 1991.
Speaking on Sunday about freedom of expression and political correctness, Ben said: “There is a global demand for diversity, but not diversity of behavior, opinions or language. I encourage everyone to be as politically nonconformist as their hearts desire, and to engage in storytelling in all its diversity.
