Sean Penn fails in Cannes – and expects politics and media from – SPIEGEL ONLINE

Saturday afternoon at the posh Carlton hotels on the Croisette, the Cannes Flanierpromenade terrace. The day before, Sean Penn’s fifth directorial effort “The Last Face” had been torn unanimously by the press (more in our Cannes diary). He stands for the film, Penn was tightlipped said at a brief press conference on Friday, which also lead actress and ex-girlfriend Charlize Theron was present. Both paid tribute to not look. At the gala premiere in the evening it was better for the two-time Oscar winner, the politically and humanitarian engaged for years: There were benevolent applause and standing ovations. According relaxed we hit the 55s for an interview. Penn wearing black sunglasses and smokes

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. Mr Penn, a week ago you said in an interview with the “Financial Times” that the success of “The Last Face” very strong depended on the reaction in Cannes. You have invested two years of work and a lot of their own money in the production. How do you feel today?

Penn: I would do the other financiers and distributors, will now release the film, a favor if I would give that kind of pressure. I did my job. What is happening now will happen. However, I can not do anything

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. With “The Last Face” played “The Gunman” already the second film in a row with their participation against the backdrop of African emergencies. Mixing your humanitarian activities consciously with your art?

 
 
 

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Penn with actors Adele Exarchopoulos and Zubin Cooper

Penn: No, that does not work. I have no agenda or find me on purpose from substances that act by NGOs or play in Africa. It was pure coincidence that the two films followed one another. In “The Last Face” is about relationships. Relationships between two people and between worlds

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. The role played by Javier Bardem medical help at the forefront in the crisis areas, while his companion, Charlize Theron, chooses to turn to the United Nations on larger wheels. Which character you can identify with

Penn: With both. I am very interested in the competing philosophies, where and how we can make a real difference of substance or not. I also work in the world of NGOs and know the daily struggle trying to figure out what really brings help, how sustainable it is, or even what a disaster you can do well with it, supposedly to do good. The use of locally necessarily goes hand in hand with efforts to government solutions and public. This is a wrestling match, which is very familiar to me

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. Did you yourself thought, to seek political office

? Penn: No, I function better outside institutions. Do not get me wrong: I have great sympathy for people who introduce themselves as politicians for election, the right and left, but in today’s time came something out of the question for me. Before, it would take the large grassroots movement, the great cultural upheaval, we are all waiting for the with shameful inaction

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. What do you mean exactly

Penn: What do you want to achieve because when the public is only with the busy and knows what the media supply, but there is no more media that have a clue about anything? What would happen if Bernie Sanders President would? There would nevertheless still a population that is sprinkled throughout the day from fake messages. It’s like in the movie industry, it’s all about brand and opinions. So people make lightly with one thing in common, rather than thinking about what would be really good for them. In a time when we would need to talk about content, is all just still superficial

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. This may sound bitter

Penn: Oh. We are sitting here, the sun is shining, have a look, the beautiful palm back there … and I have great kids who, hopefully, will have the opportunity to change the world. but applies to me: As long as I have no ready solutions, I will do the devil to get involved in a political landscape in which it’s all about masturbation. Take Donald Trump:. His only interest is to be the center of attention

 
 
 

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Penn with son Hopper Jack and daughter Dylan

SPIEGEL: Many people gather behind Trump because they distrust the establishment and feel betrayed by the politicians. Should we not take seriously

Penn : But there is no mission, no goal! I am absolutely for a more pragmatic style of leadership and cultural change, but I’m against a revolution without idea. This new American revolution that we are experiencing is a revolution that is operated only for its own sake. This is no better than the establishment. I say: Let’s look at what it is good and left, hold, rather than split us into warring camps

SPIEGEL ONLINE:. you have said in previous interviews that you will give your vote Hillary Clinton. But what happens when Donald Trump President is

Penn: There will be personal consequences for each of us, no matter how the election turns out and who wins in the end. Because what Trump has brought so much support will still be there after the election, yes. It’s probably good that it now appeared, then you can possibly work.

SPIEGEL: What exactly came to light because

Penn: The criminal incompetence of corrupt media. Especially the major television networks are not about news competence and the truth, it’s all about them, to outdo their competition. I know many good journalists, some even working at CNN. But they are marginalized within their organizations, as well as in Hollywood at present many serious filmmakers be kept small, which would have something to say or would turn personal films. There are good journalists, but there is no longer journalism. And that is much worse than Donald Trump.