Zelensky talks Hollywood favourites, shows off Sean Penn's Oscar

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a long interview with CBS News, spoke about the war but also about his favourite actors and films. Discussing some of his favourite American cinema stars and movies, he specifically named Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and The Godfather.

Zelensky likes the work of veteran American cinema actors, naming Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in particular. The famous film The Godfather is also among his favourites. Notably, in the film's sequel, Robert De Niro played the young Vito Corleone while Al Pacino played Michael Corleone. These names gave a glimpse of Zelensky's taste in cinema.

During the interview, Zelensky also showed the Oscar award that actor Sean Penn had given him. In 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sean Penn travelled to Kyiv and met Zelensky. At that time, he handed his Oscar award to the Ukrainian president. Penn had said he gave the award as a sign of confidence in Ukraine's victory. Zelensky had initially hesitated to accept the award.

But Sean Penn insisted he take the award. He had said the Oscar could stay in Ukraine until the war ended. Zelensky recalled Sean Penn's words that once he wins, he should return it to him. Amid discussion of the war, politics and international relations, these cinema-related memories of Zelensky's gave the interview a different flavour.

On one hand, the grim reality of the war, and on the other, his fondness for classic Hollywood films, made this aspect of the interview stand out.