Sean Penn criticizes Academy Awards for limiting artistic expression
- Sean Penn spoke at the Marrakech International Film Festival, where he received a career achievement award.
- He criticized the Oscars for cowardice, claiming they limit artistic expression and film funding.
- Penn's remarks emphasize the ongoing issues of diversity and creativity within the film industry.
In Marrakech, Morocco, Sean Penn delivered scathing remarks about the Academy Awards during the Marrakech International Film Festival, where he was honored with a career achievement award. He accused the Oscars' organizers of cowardice for their role in constraining the types of films that could be funded and made, stating that their decisions often neglect diverse cultural expressions. While he recognizes the significance of rare nominated films such as 'The Florida Project.' Additionally, he expressed frustration at the film industry's fear of distributing films containing politically sensitive subjects, highlighting challenges faced by Iranian-Danish director Ali Abassi's film, 'The Apprentice,' which critiques President Donald Trump. Those criticisms are in line with ongoing concerns regarding the Academy's struggles with diversity and representation, which have prompted it to attempt reforms in recent years. In his acceptance speech, Penn challenged the premise of modern liberalism, urging artists to embrace political incorrectness and to stimulate authentic diversity of thought and expression, advocating for unrestricted storytelling in the creative realm.