New Sean Penn Feature, "Animals In War" Sheds Light on the Unseen Side of Ukraine

Legendary actor, Sean Penn has always been one of the more outspoken figures in Hollywood when it comes to international conflicts. Whether it be criticizing the President of the United States, providing aid to those in a humanitarian crisis, or traveling into war zones, Penn has made a name for himself not only as an actor but as an activist. In a similar vein, the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City has never been a festival that shies from difficult subjects. This year, the Tribeca Film Festival saw the release of Penn's latest project, Animals in War, an anthology film made with various Ukrainian artists that deals with the harsh reality of what the people and animals of Ukraine have had to endure in the midst of a bitter, global conflict.

It's no secret that for the past few years, Ukraine has been going through some of the worst times in the country's history. The Russian invasion of February 2022 caused unprecedented devastation, reducing entire cities to rubble. Millions have lost their homes, their families, and their sanity. Many filmmakers have decided to capture the plight of the Ukrainian people on film but nobody has aimed to show what its been like for the animals of this country, torn apart by violence. Because war doesn't just destroy cities, it destroys the environment, and the filmmakers behind Animals in War sought out to show that to the world at Tribeca this year.

Animals in War is neither a documentary, nor a straight narrative film, it's a mix of both. A group of Ukrainian artists teamed up with Sean Penn to tell their stories via a collection of personal shorts. These filmmakers include: Myroslav Slaboshpytskyi, Yuliia Shashkova, Maksym Tuzov, Oleksii Mamedov, Sviatoslav Kostiuk, Ivan Sautkin, and Andrii Lidahovskyi. At the center of each of these powerful vignettes is an animal, whether that be a cow, a wolf, or a rabbit that has been affected or killed by the effects of Russia's war.

Unfortunately, the reality is that far too many people find it difficult to empathize with others experiencing war. Most of the time this is through no fault of their own, just a lack of experience or relatability to these global issues. But people always seem to feel sympathy when they see animals in pain, whether that be on screen or in person. Some people straight up refuse to watch movies if they hear that a dog dies in it, but can't seem to empathize with struggling members of their own species. The filmmakers behind Animals in War are aiming to cultivate more empathy for every living being in Ukraine being displaced, traumatized, or killed by this war. It is much easier to put yourself in the shoes of struggling people when you imagine you and your dear pet faced with the same plight. This unfortunately, is the harsh reality for far too many Ukrainians today.

Regardless of if you have any roots or ties to Ukraine, Animals in War tells a story we can all relate to, the need for our animals' wellbeing. It's commendable that Sean Penn is willing to be a part of films that drawn attention to the atrocities going on in our world, but his contribution is not all the film has to offer. Hopefully he continues the trend of using his fame and influence for good in a world that needs it most.

So if you're able to catch a screening, I implore you to see Animals of War. Come for Sean Penn, stay for the incredible Ukrainian minds who brought it to life.