Sean Penn addressed his absence from the Academy Awards in March during a Tribeca Festival appearance in New York, explaining that he missed accepting his third Oscar to visit Ukraine.
Third Oscar Win
Penn received the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, adding to his previous Best Actor wins for Mystic River (2004) and Milk (2009). Penn revealed he chose to miss the ceremony, opting instead to travel to Ukraine and meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Penn's Views on Awards
Discussing his decision, Penn said, "The best that I could ever muster was relief," referring to not attending the Oscars. He expressed discomfort with large social gatherings and explained his rule of not attending events with more than eight people, calling larger gatherings "anxiety- and dread-inducing."
Activism and Outreach
Penn highlighted his longstanding activism, noting the 16-year operation of his nonprofit, Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). Originally founded as J/P HRO after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, CORE now provides aid globally, including in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Oscar Night in Ukraine
Penn watched the Oscars ceremony from Ukraine, where the broadcast aired from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. local time. "I really got to enjoy the Academy Awards for the first time," he told the audience at Tribeca.
Reflecting on his past, Penn mentioned having mellowed over the years, noting he hasn't engaged in a yelling match in four years. His evolution from a volatile figure to a dedicated activist was evident in his Tribeca Festival appearance.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sean-penn-tribeca-festival-kaitlan-collins-oscars-1236614916/
