Cannes 2012: Sean Penn stunned guests at Haitian Relief Organization Gala with his expletive-ridden speech
Sean Penn didn’t let the prestigious tone of the Haiti: Carnival In Cannes gala stop him from turning the air blue with some carefully chosen words during a speech on behalf of his Haitian Relief Organization.
It was the most lavish party in Cannes, with tickets going for a whopping $7,500 a pop.
Sean Penn, 51, stunned guests including Ewan McGregor, Gerard Butler, Diane Kruger and Jessica Chastain with his expletive-ridden speech, which he confessed was made “under the influence of vodka”.
The actor made a rambling delivery, jokingly questioning why some of the A-list guests were at the charity gala “when you have people to f***” at other parties.
Sean Penn then praised fellow Haiti fund raiser Paul Haggis, “even though he was a Canadian whose parents included a man, a woman and a tree”.
He added: “F*** ’em if people say you’re just writing a cheque, but you’re making a change.”
He continued that Haiti should be helped because it was just an hour away from “the richest f***ing country in the world”.
Sean Penn stunned guests at Haitian Relief Organization Gala with his expletive-ridden speech, which he confessed was made “under the influence of vodka”
Sean Penn may have had a tipple or two, or three, but he was impassioned about supporting the people of Haiti although he said people had to “fight the f*** out of politics” to get things done.
The rant continued when he demanded that guests bid for auction items.
“I want you to stay here and listen to the auction and beat the s*** out of each other to purchase them.”
The actor , who wore glasses as he made his speech, continued his blue streak.
He instructed women: “Tell the man next to you, “I’m not going to f*** you tonight unless you pay the f*** up.”
None of the guests appeared offended by the tirade, which had many an A-lister in fits of laughter.
Some felt his spicey language gave the evening some electricity.
The gala’s auctioneer, Christie’s international director Hugh Edmeades, commented with a touch of British understatement: “He’s very passionate about Haiti, isn’t he?”
Sean Penn attended the event with his girlfriend, model Petra Nemcova, who looked stunning in a silver gown. The gala was held in association with Paul Haggis’ Artists For Peace and Justice and Petra’s Happy Hearts Fund.
Giorgio Armani bank-rolled the event which included a performance by Lyle Lovett.
Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain hot-footed it from their Madagascar 3 film screening to attend the star-studded party.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, most of the A-listers, including Ewan McGregor and Jean-Paul Gaultier were happiest sneaking a cigarette out the back by the portable loos.
“You’re not allowed to smoke inside,” noted Ewan McGregor as he stubbed out his cigarette and made his way back inside.
Sean Penn threw himself into relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake.
The Oscar- winning actor has traveled constantly to Haiti and said that 450,000 people were still homeless in Haiti.
“But at least that’s down from 1.8 million homeless. Enormous progress has been made with re-building the country’s infrastructure but people are living in tents on dirt floors , without water and cholera is spiking,” he said Friday.
Sean Penn said Haitians were “full of hope” and that schools were being built and that one of the most exciting sights. Was watching children preparing to head off to school.
Sean Penn called on President Barak Obama to do “whatever he can to help Haiti get back on its feet”.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised by auctioning items such as going backstage to meet Bono, and special sporting packages for the London Olympics.