Woody Allen faces backlash after virtual appearance at Moscow Film Week

Legendary director Woody Allen has found himself in hot water after participating remotely in Moscow Film Week, drawing sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials who view any engagement with Russian cultural events as tacit support for the ongoing war.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry didn’t mince words, calling Allen’s participation «a disgrace» that dishonors Ukrainian film professionals who’ve become casualties of the conflict. The controversy deepened when Ukraine’s Mirotvorets database, which tracks individuals deemed hostile to Ukrainian interests, added Allen to their watchlist.

During the online event, Allen chatted with Russian filmmaker Fyodor Bondarchuk, a vocal supporter of Moscow’s military campaign, and expressed his longtime appreciation for Russian cinema.

Ukrainian officials pointed out that Allen appeared to be overlooking Russia’s actions in Ukraine, which began with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Speaking to The Guardian in response to the controversy, Allen tried to clear the air:

«Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling,» he stated firmly. However, he defended his participation on artistic grounds, arguing that «cutting off artistic conversations is never a good way to help.»