‘A disgrace’: Woody Allen faces backlash over participation in Moscow International Film Week

Oscar-winning American filmmaker Woody Allen appeared at the Moscow International Film Week yesterday, headlining the “Legends of World Cinema” programme.

The 89-year-old took part in the event via a video link - rather than in person – with pro-Putin Russian director Fyodor Bondarchuk moderating the conversation.

The festival’s website described the slot as an “atmosphere of a confidential dialogue” to allow attendees to “touch the inner world of the director, understand how stories are born that remain in culture for decades, and hear thoughts that rarely appear in public.” 

According to Russian state media, Allen spoke about his admiration for Russian cinema and stated during the conversation that artificial intelligence would never be able to produce works on the level of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s books. 

RIA Novosti reported that when asked about filming in Russia, Allen said that he had not received any proposals and that if offers were to come, he would not be opposed to a screenplay centred around the sense of comfort he previously felt in Moscow.  

While neither Woody Allen nor his representatives commented publicly on his participation in the event, the filmmaker’s online presence at Moscow International Film Week has sparked outrage.  

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned his participation, saying that Allen was giving credibility to a “bloody festival” featuring Putin’s allies and that it amounts to ignoring the daily atrocities Russia continues to carry out in Ukraine. 

“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,” stated the ministry.  

“Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool.” 

Elsewhere, online rections also heavily criticised Allen’s attendance:  

Woody Allen's last film to date was 2023's Coup de Chance, which premiered at the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival.

In our review of the film, we wrote: "Coup de Chance becomes Match Point ’s clumsier French cousin, one that is more forgettable but that does build to a very satisfying conclusion. It’s no late-career highpoint, mind you, but there’s no denying that after a decade of dross, it is Woody’s most cohesive film since Blue Jasmine."

Moscow International Film Week was launched in 2024. It runs from 23 – 27 August.