Stan & Movistar Plus+ among global buyers for Sean Penn’s Ukraine war doc ‘Superpower’

Superpower (Source: Fifth Season)

Broadcasters including Stan and Nine Network in Australia and Movistar Plus+ in Spain have acquired Superpower, the Sean Penn-directed documentary about Ukraine’s fight back against Russian invaders.

Distributor Fifth Season has also struck deals for the documentary with HBO (CEE and Baltics), PCCW for Now TV (Hong Kong and Macau), DPG Media (Belgium), A+E Networks/History Channel (Germany) and Kyivstar TV (Ukraine).

These follow previous sales to Paramount+ in the US, alongside Ukrainian broadcasters Inter, NTN, Mega and Sonce – where it launched in September 2023.

The film, produced by Vice Studios and Projected Picture Works, and directed by Hollywod Oscar-winner Sean Penn and Aaron Kaufman, features a series of intimate interviews done by Penn with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others from seven trips over nearly a two-year period.

When filming began in late 2021, it started as a light-hearted project on Zelensky and his ascendancy from a popular comedic actor to the Presidency. But when the buildup of Russian Troops on Ukraine’s border began the tone of the film took on its own life. Following the invasion in February 2022, the film suddenly became a firsthand look at a wartime President and his country’s defense of its freedom.

Prentiss Fraser, president of TV distribution at Fifth Season, said: “It’s a privilege to be involved with Superpower – a profoundly moving and impactful project with incredible talent behind the camera, led by the formidable duo of Sean Penn and Aaron Kaufman. The documentary offers unprecedented access as it brings viewers onto the frontlines and shines a light on the strength, resilience and humanity of the Ukrainian people during their fight for freedom.”