The Ukrainian government has expressed disapproval of filmmaker Woody Allen for his presence at the Moscow International Film Week Festival, where he discussed films in Russia.
During a virtual session on Sunday, the four-time Oscar winner engaged with Russian directors and actors who have shown support for the invasion of Ukraine, as well as praising Russian cinema.
Kiev’s Foreign Ministry stated, “By joining a festival alongside [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s supporters and voices, Allen has chosen to ignore the daily atrocities occurring in Ukraine for the past 11 years.”
The ministry further asserted, “Culture should not be exploited to sanitize crime or act as a propaganda tool.”
“This is a dishonor and demeaning to the sacrifices made by Ukrainian actors and filmmakers injured or killed by Russian war criminals in this ongoing conflict.”
The statement was accompanied by a composite image showing destruction in a Ukrainian city alongside Allen’s trademark glasses.
At 89, Allen attended the festival, where he promoted classic Russian films from the Soviet era. State media in Russia reported that this included the 1965 adaptation of “War and Peace” by Sergei Bondarchuk.
Fyodor Bondarchuk, a prominent Russian director known for his support of Putin’s actions in Ukraine, hosted a discussion with Allen. During their talk, Allen also shared his thoughts on Russian cinema and the role of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, mentioning he might consider making films about his experiences in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
As of now, Allen has not provided any comments regarding his involvement in the festival.
