MEXICO CITY: Oscar-winning Mexican film director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has stood by US actor Sean Penn for his interview with drug lord Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman, saying in an article published on Sunday that Penn wrote a “fantastic” story.

Speaking with Spanish newspaper El Pais, Gonzalez Inarritu said that the news value of Penn’s interview with Guzman was limited, but said the star had every right to go looking for the kingpin, delivering a great story on his quest to find him.

“I understand Sean Penn,” the director was quoted as saying. “He has every right to look for El Chapo.”

Guzman, the legendary boss of the Sinaloa drugs cartel, was arrested earlier this month in northwest Mexico.