New Film: "One Battle After Another"
Sean Penn discusses his new film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, titled "One Battle After Another," which is set to open in theaters on September 26th. He expresses immense admiration for Paul Thomas Anderson's unconventional filmmaking style and highlights the exceptional cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infinity, and Gina Gershon.
- Paul Thomas Anderson's Directing: Penn describes Anderson as "touched" and having "absolutely no relationship with convention," praising his ability to create engaging films without spoon-feeding the audience.
- Audience Engagement: He notes that when a film is great, the audience becomes part of it, and at a recent premiere, he felt the audience understood and connected with every beat of the film.
- Cast and Collaboration: Penn emphasizes the incredible cast and his personal connection with Leonardo DiCaprio, whom he's known since he was 15.
- Critical Acclaim: He mentions receiving texts from people he hadn't spoken to in years after Steven Spielberg called the film his "best performance ever," indicating widespread positive reception.
- Film's Impact: Penn strongly recommends the movie, stating, "no one should miss this movie."
Past Encounters and Political Reflections
The interview delves into Sean Penn's past experiences, including a notable meeting with Vladimir Putin, and touches upon the current state of public discourse and political divides.
- Meeting Vladimir Putin: Penn recalls a meeting with Jack Nicholson and Vladimir Putin at the Moscow Film Festival. He reveals that their conversation, facilitated by an interpreter (though Putin understands more English than he lets on), was about fatherhood. Penn expresses regret for his initial trust in Putin, referencing the US's response to the conflict in Ukraine and Putin's actions, such as kidnapping children.
- Public Debate and Disconnect: Penn believes that while public debate is often polarized, most people, when not in a public setting, are eager to bridge divides and dismiss disconnects. He contrasts this with the perceived inability of those "running the country" to do the same.
- Encounter with Stalin's Anthem Writer: Penn shares a humorous anecdote about a very old man, who had written the national anthem for Stalin, being present at the meeting with Putin and Nicholson. The man remained silent for a long time, only whispering to Putin at one point, which Jack Nicholson humorously interpreted as advice not to change the anthem.
Acting and Mutual Admiration
The conversation explores the concept of being "starstruck" and the dynamics of working with fellow actors, particularly in light of Brad Pitt's recent comments.
- Brad Pitt's Comments: Penn discusses Brad Pitt's statement on Dax Shepard's podcast that he was starstruck working with Penn. Penn reciprocates the admiration, calling Pitt a "gigantic fan" and stating their feelings are mutual.
- Mutual Excitement in Acting: Penn believes that when working with talented colleagues, the excitement is often mutual. He explains that a better scene partner benefits both actors, as it feeds their performance and contributes to the overall success of the project.
- Sean Penn's Starstruck Moment: When asked who he's been most starstruck by, Penn names Meryl Streep, whom he has met but not worked with, describing her as a "very elegant person."
Personal Hobbies and Lifestyle
The interview touches on Sean Penn's less public pursuits, including his passion for furniture building and his meticulous approach to tidiness.
- Furniture Building: Penn reveals he builds furniture, often incorporating hidden compartments. He spends significant time in his woodshop, working from early morning until late at night.
- Tidiness and Vacuuming: He expresses a strong preference for tidiness, even admitting to doing cutting work in his living room and then letting it get messy before cleaning it up. He finds satisfaction in vacuuming.
- Power Washer and "Squared Away" Philosophy: Penn owns a power washer and has a specific vacuum cleaner he calls a "handy vac" that fits into hidden compartments of his furniture. He aspires to be remembered as a "squared away individual," signifying order and meticulousness.
- Love for Smoking: Penn openly discusses his love for smoking and allowing others to smoke in his home. He quotes Charles Bukowski's line, "Find something you love and let it kill you," in relation to his smoking habit.
Name Choices and Future Collaborations
The discussion includes a lighthearted revelation about a past naming choice for his son and a contemplation of future directorial aspirations.
- Son's Name "Steak": Penn confirms he originally wanted to name his son Hopper "Steak," but his wife vetoed the idea. Hopper was the next choice.
- Desire to Work with Martin Scorsese: Penn expresses a strong desire to work with director Martin Scorsese, even stating, "Marty, please call." While he would still want to read a script to ensure he can "be value added," he would definitely consider it.
- Shadowing Scorsese: Penn recounts shadowing Martin Scorsese for about five days on the set of "Cape Fear" when he was first starting to direct. He learned a great deal by observing Scorsese's process, although he had to politely step away at times due to Scorsese's intolerance for smoking, which Penn indulged in.