The P+ Original documentary Superpower tells the story of how Sean Penn heads to Ukraine to learn more about comedic-actor turned president, Volodymyr Zelensky. It was to be an amusing film – it has turned into a document of history. When Penn was brought into an undisclosed bunker in the Presidential Palace, the Russian invasion had begun. Penn talked to President Zelensky as explosions rocked the city. He became an inadvertent front-row witness to this historic ‘David and Goliath’ struggle. Through moments of levity, inspiration and on the ground storytelling, it becomes clear that Ukraine’s Superpower lies in the strength of its leader, its people, and ultimately, its heart.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00 Sometimes in pursuing a curiosity about something going on in the world,
00:05 maybe part of it is because you're looking to believe in something.
00:09 There are people that you meet who are the embodiment of that hope that you want to have.
00:16 The film we'd set out to make was not meant to encounter an existential threat to democracy,
00:23 just a spirited story of a comedy superstar turned president.
00:27 Be careful.
00:28 We're currently in this situation where there's a major Russian buildup.
00:33 The situation was changing and feeling more urgent.
00:37 Go, go, go.
00:38 They had two impacts in town.
00:41 Oh my God.
00:43 This modern country was suddenly at war.
00:47 Ukrainians have this historical willingness to be a democratic state,
00:52 and because it is so hard to get, it becomes very precious.
00:56 This is about vengeance.
00:58 Putin's angry that this country wants to divorce itself from Russia forever,
01:02 and he wants it back.
01:03 [music]
01:06 We are just ordinary people who want to live in our country.
01:11 Welcome to my home.
01:12 What can we help you carry?
01:13 We need Americans to understand the price we have to pay to be free.
01:19 Because of our proximity to active combat, that's the priority.
01:25 Guys, no grass.
01:27 These fields are mine.
01:29 Okay.
01:31 When you step into a country of such incredible unity,
01:35 you realize what we've all been missing.
01:38 We're in agreement. We absolutely agree.
01:40 [music]
01:42 If Ukraine fails, it's not just a failure for democracy.
01:45 Everything that happens here is going to affect every other place in the world today.
01:49 That's the reason that we're all so invested in this.
01:52 When stakes are so high, of course we will keep fighting, whatever it takes.
01:57 [music]
01:59 Zelensky is the face of this extraordinary courage that's come up in all Ukrainians we saw and talked to,
02:07 whether they were in uniform, out of uniform, school teachers, even children.
02:12 I want to protect my country, my mom, my family.
02:16 [explosion]
02:17 The Ukrainians will win this.
02:19 The question is at what cost.
02:21 I will win!
02:23 You were born for this moment.
02:25 I am ready to win.
02:27 [music]
02:29 (dramatic music)