Julia Roberts and Sean Penn on Navigating Art and Identity in Turbulent Times

Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, longtime friends and neighbors, recently sat down to discuss their latest projects, which both explore complex themes and characters in the face of volatile political environments. In Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt," Roberts plays Alma Imhoff, a Yale professor of philosophy who is forced to confront her own flaws and biases when a student accuses her colleague of assault. Meanwhile, in Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another," Penn's Col. Steven J. Lockjaw plunges the lives of a father and daughter into chaos as he undertakes a mission of revenge against political dissidents. In a conversation with Variety, Roberts and Penn reflected on their experiences working on these projects, which both touch on the themes of cancel culture and the consequences of unchecked power. "Shame is underrated these days," Roberts noted, highlighting the ways in which societal pressure to conform can lead individuals to suppress their own flaws and biases. Penn added that he believes the current cultural landscape is characterized by a "lack of nuance" and a tendency to oversimplify complex issues. The conversation between Roberts and Penn provides a glimpse into the creative processes behind these two films, which both explore the tensions between individual freedom and societal expectations. "After the Hunt" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September, while "One Battle After Another" is set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in October. Both films are expected to spark important conversations about the role of power and privilege in shaping our society. As actors, Roberts and Penn have long been known for their willingness to take on complex and challenging roles. Their friendship and mutual respect for one another's work are evident in their conversation, which is marked by a sense of ease and camaraderie. Despite their differing perspectives on the current cultural landscape, both actors agree that their work is driven by a desire to explore the human condition and to shed light on the complexities of the world around us. The release of "After the Hunt" and "One Battle After Another" marks an important moment in the careers of both Roberts and Penn, who are widely regarded as two of the most talented and influential actors of their generation. As these films make their way into theaters, audiences can expect to be challenged and provoked by the complex themes and characters that they present.