Sean Penn is adamant that he has no reason to apologize for making a green card jibe at the expense of Mexican director Alejandro Iñárritu while handing him his Oscar for Birdman . When the time came to reveal to the Academy that Iñárritu had triumphed , Penn asked 'Who gave this son of a bitch his green card ? ' before announcing his film as the winner . The joke prompted a storm of outrage from critics who branded the comments xenophobic - but Penn has today said he has 'absolutely no apologies ' and that the only reason anyone could be offended is their own 'flagrant stupidity ' . Scroll down for video . 'Who gave that son of a bitch a green card ? ' : Sean Penn , left , was criticized for a joke he directed at Alejandro Iñárritu , right , while handing him an Oscar . He called the reaction 'flagrant stupidity ' According to Penn , the jibe was part of his friendship with Iñárritu , with whom he has worked in the past - and even a way to let him know of his victory seconds before everyone else . Speaking at a promo event in Beverly Hills for one of his own movies , Penn said of the reaction to the joke : ' I 'm always surprised by flagrant stupidity . I keep having more hope . ' He later added : ' I have absolutely no apologies ' . 'In fact , I have a big [ expletive ] you for every ... anybody who is so stupid not to have gotten the irony when you 've got a country that is so xenophobic . 'If they had their way , you would n't have great filmmakers like Alejandro working in this country . Thank god we do . ' Controversial moment : Penn is pictured above seconds before opening the envelope and making the jibe . ' I found it hilarious . Sean and I have that kind of brutal [ relationship ] where only true friendship can survive . ' Iñárritu directed Penn in the 2003 film 21 Grams and the two remain close . ' I make on him a lot of very tough jokes that I will not tell you , ' Iñárritu added . While Iñárritu 's casual dismissal of any perceived offense helped to temper the public response to the comment , Penn has remained largely silent on the topic . Penn also clarified that the order of his comments were intentional . 'There 's a little inside humor with he and I where I know , and wanted to know , that he would be the first person in that room to know that his film won , ' he said . Winner : Iñárritu directed Birdman , starring Michael Keaton , above .
Penn responded to outcry over joke made at the Academy Awards . Asked 'who gave this son of a bitch his green card ' of Alejandro Iñárritu . Was delivering the Mexican director the best picture award for Birdman . Said he has 'absolutely no apologies ' and reaction was 'flagrant stupidity '