In Marrakech, Morocco, actor Sean Penn expressed strong criticism of the Academy Awards, labeling its organizers as “cowards” for restricting the kinds of films that can be made and funded. Speaking at the Marrakech Film Festival, where he received a career achievement award, Penn remarked that he only feels excited about the Oscars when films he truly values receive nominations.
He pointed out that the Academy has demonstrated a lack of courage in embracing diverse forms of cultural expression. “The producers of the Academy have exercised extraordinary cowardice in being part of the world of expression,” he stated, adding that their actions have led to a limitation of creativity in the film industry.
Despite this, Penn acknowledged that there are exceptions to his indifference towards the Oscars, citing specific films that he found noteworthy. His comments align with ongoing critiques regarding the Academy’s failure to adequately represent diversity among its members and the films it honors.
In recent years, the Academy has taken steps to address these concerns and rebrand itself, but criticism continues regarding the sufficiency of these efforts. The Academy did not immediately provide a comment following Penn’s remarks.
Additionally, Penn praised Iranian-Danish director Ali Abassi for his film “The Apprentice,” which tackles the subject of President Donald Trump but has struggled to find distribution in the U.S. leading up to the upcoming elections. He expressed amazement at the film industry’s hesitance to embrace such a significant work, comparing this fear to that of a “piddly little Republican congressman.”
During the festival, several of Penn’s films are being screened, and local media noted that some audience members left a showing of “Milk” due to a scene featuring a same-sex couple, highlighting the cultural differences in Morocco, where homosexuality is illegal.
Throughout his appearances, Penn, whose recent work focuses on the war in Ukraine, expressed his unwavering support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, indicating a strong sense of patriotism in the current American political climate.
