Woody Allen’s appearance at a Russian film festival has garnered the condemnation of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, who called the filmmakers participation “a disgrace and an insult” to the victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As The Associated Press reports, Allen made a video appearance at the Moscow International Film Week on Sunday, Aug. 24, with the footage reportedly airing on Russian state TV. Allen partook in a panel moderated by actor and director Fyodor Bondarchuk, a longtime supporter of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.
In a statement shared online, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said, “Woody Allen’s participation in the Moscow International Film Week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine.”
They continued: “By taking part in a festival that brings together Putin’s supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now. Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool. We strongly condemn Woody Allen’s decision to bless Moscow’s bloody festival with his address.”
A rep for Allen did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s request for comment, though the filmmaker told The AP, “When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling. But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.”
According to reports, Allen’s Moscow International Film Week panel found him discussing his fondness for Russian cinema and past trips to Russia and the Soviet Union. Allen also said he had “only good feelings for Moscow and St. Petersburg” (per Russian media), though had no plans to make a film there.
Allen’s last two films have been made in Europe with overseas financial backing. His most recent Hollywood deal, a production agreement with Amazon, was terminated over allegations that Allen had sexually abused his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was seven years old. Allen — who has denied the allegations and been cleared in two investigations — sued Amazon with the case settling out of court.
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
From Rolling Stone US
