The Cannes Film Festival experienced a powerful emotional moment on Friday when Ukrainian soldiers walked the red carpet alongside singer Bono and actor-director Sean Penn . This exceptional appearance took place for the premiere screening of the documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender , directed by Andrew Dominik, in the festival's Special Screenings section.
The film, inspired by Bono's solo show and his memoir *Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story* , offers an intimate glimpse into the life of the U2 frontman, blending personal stories, musical performances, and reflections on faith, family, and humanitarian work. The screening was met with a standing ovation lasting over six minutes, a testament to the documentary's emotional impact.
Bono and Sean Penn in support of Ukraine
The presence of Ukrainian soldiers on the red carpet symbolizes Bono and Sean Penn's continued support for Ukraine, which has been at war since the Russian invasion in 2022. Sean Penn, a fervent supporter of the Ukrainian cause, had already traveled to Kyiv in February 2022 to make a documentary about the Russian invasion. He also presented one of his Oscars to President Volodymyr Zelensky in November 2022 as a gesture of solidarity.
This initiative is part of the Cannes Film Festival's broader commitment to supporting Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, the festival has banned the participation of official Russian delegations and has instead highlighted Ukrainian works, such as the documentary Mariupolis 2 by Mantas Kvedaravicius, who was killed in Mariupol in 2022.
Bono: Stories of Surrender will be available to stream on Apple TV+ starting May 30, 2025.
