Penn's ''Superpower'' documentary unveils Ukraine's struggle

The trailer for "Superpower," a documentary co-directed by Sean Penn and Aaron Kaufman, has been unveiled, shedding light on the Ukraine war. The documentary's initial intention was to chronicle Volodymyr Zelenskiy's transition from comic actor to Ukraine's president, but it evolved into a broader exploration of the conflict.

The preview offers glimpses of Penn's surprise at the invasion's outbreak and captures Volodymyr Zelenskiy's presence in Kyiv when Russian forces launched the initial bombings in February 2022. Zelenskiy's sentiment of ordinary citizens longing to live peacefully in their homeland is conveyed in a conversation with Penn from his bunker.

We are just ordinary people who want to live in our country,

says President Zelenskyi in the trailer of the upcoming Sean Penn documentary “Superpower”. pic.twitter.com/5EQGECDUue

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 31, 2023

Penn and his crew made seven trips to Ukraine for filming, engaging not only with Zelenskiy but also with veterans from the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea, individuals affected by the conflict, musicians, politicians, and even young female military recruits. Zelenskiy's desire for Americans to grasp the sacrifices Ukraine endures for its freedom echoes throughout the documentary.

"Superpower" positions itself as an enthusiastic homage to Zelenskiy, who Penn describes as embodying the hope he had sought. Zelenskiy, in the documentary, is hailed as a remarkable wartime leader, navigating a nation in conflict with a nuclear superpower.

The film is set to premiere on Paramount+ on September 18.

[Information sourced from The Guardian]