THE HERO

SEAN PENN THE AMERICAN ACTOR ON LIFE, DEATH AND POLITICS

I am happy. I feel very alive,’ says Sean Penn, the 63-yearold American actor-director, who is loving life right now. And well he might. A regular behind the camera (including the recent Flag Day and Ukraine doc Superpower), the two-time Oscar winner (Best Actor for Mystic River and Milk) is still very much in demand in front of it. Next up, the grim-but-stirring Black Flies as a New York paramedic, alongside Tye Sheridan…

Black Flies is a tough watch. Was it miserable to make?

I had that kind of misery on this. But I also had great partners in Tye and Jean-Stéphane [Sauvaire, director]. Every hour that we worked together, we never had anything but the most respect and collaboration. I felt very protective of Jean-Stéphane. I just felt the limitations financially… and how he was able to sculpt this thing with those limitations. I was there and I still don’t get it.

How are you when it comes to dealing with life-and-death situations?

None of that was new to me. I’ve been next to friends that were shot in the face in Haiti and you drive them to a hospital. There’s a certain kind of functionality where I’m not bad with dealing with that stuff.

Your recent doc Superpower saw you in Ukraine as the war broke out. How was that?

Psychologically, it was a much safer place than the US. You’re getting so much, being present in it. I remember on the second trip… we were in Ukraine when the Academy Awards [saw] Will Smith slap Chris Rock. And I thought, ‘It’s safer here than in Hollywood!’

Do you think about entering politics?

I don’t think I’d be good at that… I just get very self-conscious. And when I watch politicians work a room and they’ve got to remember this person’s name... Also, there’s a Brendan Behan line that I use sometimes. He was asked, ‘Mr. Behan, would you ever go into politics?’ and he says, ‘I could never go into politics.

I only have but one face.’

Can you remember what first inspired you to act?

By the time I was working in films… I’ve had a career of trying to muscle through disappointments and find out how much I really wanted to do it. And not do it. And then finally start to do it myself, making films and things like that. One of the ones that really sticks out for me was [1973 drama] Scarecrow. That’s one... I can watch it today and still see why it turned me on.

‘PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON IS AS GOOD A FILMMAKER AS THIS PLANET’S GOT’

Of all your films, doing Carlito’s Way must’ve been very special?

Because of Al [Pacino]? Oh, yeah, well… I loved working with him.

What can you tell us about your next film, Daddio?

Out of the blue it came like a gift I didn’t even know I wanted. It was as beautiful a piece of writing as I’ve ever read. And the producer, lead actress [Dakota Johnson], and her boyfriend have been really close friends of mine for several years. And they live close by. And she came over and gave me the script for she and I to do. And I read this thing, and I had just the best experience ever. I couldn’t wait to get to work every day.

You’re also working again with Paul Thomas Anderson on his next film. How was your time on Licorice Pizza?

I mean, Paul Thomas Anderson is pound for pound as good a filmmaker as this planet’s got. And writer. He also happens to have an absolutely gentle bedside manner with his cast, with his crew. I felt very lucky to have gotten to go and play with those guys.

How do you stay calm amid the craziness of life as an actor?

Oh, I have a lot to go to these days. And most of the time, I do it. This great dog I’ve got – it’s there, and I like my crafts. My woodwork. And I like a little vodka tonic!

BLACK FLIES IS ON PRIME VIDEO FROM 19 APRIL.