Woody Allen Responds to Ukraine’s Criticism Over His Participation in Moscow Film Festival
American filmmaker Woody Allen, who recently faced sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials, has reiterated his stance regarding his appearance at the Moscow International Film Festival.
His presence at the event held in Moscow was condemned by Ukrainian representatives as an insult to those who have fallen victim to Russian aggression.
In a statement to The Guardian, Allen emphasized that his actions are not intended to endorse Kremlin policies and condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“Regarding the conflict, I firmly believe that Vladimir Putin is completely wrong.
The war he initiated is a horrific tragedy.
However, I do not think cutting off artistic dialogue is the solution,” the director stated.Meanwhile, Ukrainian diplomatic bodies sharply criticized his participation, calling it “a shame and insult to Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals.” The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed that Allen, by participating in a festival associated with pro-Russian supporters, seemingly ignored the daily atrocities committed by the Kremlin against Ukraine.
They argued that culture should never be used as a propaganda tool.
Allen also clarified he has no plans to shoot films in Russia but expressed warm feelings towards Moscow and Saint Petersburg, particularly admiring Russian cinematic classics like Sergei Bondarchuk’s 1969 adaptation of “War and Peace,” which received an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.The director added that he does not intend to change his stance but continues to hold a fond regard for Russia’s cultural heritage.
In 2022, Allen announced his retirement from directing, although he remains active as a screenwriter and creator of new projects.