...

Logo Pasino du Havre - Casino-Hôtel - Spa
in partnership with
Logo Nextory

Woody Allen responds after Russian film festival appearance condemned as a ‘disgrace’

Culture • Aug 26, 2025, 7:19 AM
3 min de lecture
1

Following backlash surrounding his appearance at Moscow International Film Week this weekend, American director Woody Allen has issued a statement saying that the war in Ukraine was “appalling.”

The 89-year-old Oscar-winning filmmaker took part in the Russian film festival via video link for a Q&A session moderated by pro-Putin Russian director Fyodor Bondarchuk  on Sunday 24 August.

Allen reportedly praised Russian cinema and said he would like to make a movie in Russia if he had an opportunity.

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 sit down and think about what the script could be about how well you feel in Moscow and St Petersburg.”

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.”

Now, in a statement to the Associated Press, Allen denounced Vladimir Putin and said that cultural conversations must continue.

“When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong,” stated Allen. “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.”

Woody Allen's last film to date was 2023's Coup de Chance, his 50th feature, 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 August 2024 and is separate from the Moscow International Film Festival, which was stripped of its International Federation of Film Producers Associations accreditation three years ago, following the invasion of Ukraine.


Today

‘If you can’t beat ‘em...’: Gavin Newsom starts viral battle of the merch against Donald Trump
Culture • 2:32 PM
8 min
Governor of California Gavin Newsom is playing Donald Trump at his own game, with the increased use of memes and digs that define the president's online style. Now, he's mimicked Trump's merchandise scheme - and gone so far as to redefine 'MAGA'. Here's e
Read the article
Archaeology student finds 1200-year-old gold in his first excavation
Culture • 2:02 PM
2 min
Dating to the 800s, the object is about four centimetres long and has a decorative ornament on one end.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/08/26/archaeology-student-finds-1200-year-old-go
Read the article
Tributes paid as Spanish Goya winning actress Verónica Echegui dead aged 42
Culture • 11:32 AM
5 min
The Madrid-born performer, who rose to fame in 2006 with her role as Juani in Bigas Luna's comedy drama film 'My Name is Juani', died in the Spanish capital after spending several days in hospital with an illness.<div class="small-12 column text-center ar
Read the article
Snoop Dogg 'scared’ to go to movies over LGBTQ+ representation in Disney’s ‘Lightyear’
Culture • 11:09 AM
5 min
The rapper said he went to see the 2022 animated film 'Lightyear' with his grandchildren, which resulted in them asking him several questions about same-sex couples. He's apparently "scared to go to the movies" now...<div class="small-12 column text-cente
Read the article
Spain's Goya Awards make history as two titles share Best Film honour
Culture • 10:11 AM
13 min
Granada hosted a historic edition of the Goya Awards, marked by the first tie in the Best Film category between 'El 47' and 'La infiltrada'.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/02/10/histo
Read the article
‘Louvre Couture’ exhibition in Paris breaks record to become Louvre’s second most visited showcase
Culture • 10:02 AM
5 min
Paris’ Louvre attracted more than a million people for its ‘Louvre Couture’ exhibition, the museum’s first showcase dedicated to fashion.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/08/26/louvre-c
Read the article
Kneecap cancel US tour due to ‘close proximity of next court hearing’
Culture • 8:46 AM
9 min
The Irish rap trio, who performed in Paris on Sunday night despite pro-Israel supporters attempting to disrupt their performance, confirmed the cancellation of their upcoming US tour - but that they have a surprise in store...<div class="small-12 column t
Read the article
In Pictures: London's Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of revellers for massive street party
Culture • 7:59 AM
11 min
The Notting Hill Carnival, an enormous celebration of Caribbean culture, is widely recognised to be the largest street party of its kind in Europe. This year, an estimated two million people joined the festivities in west London.<div class="small-12 colum
Read the article
Woody Allen responds after Russian film festival appearance condemned as a ‘disgrace’
Culture • 7:19 AM
3 min
Allen reportedly praised Russian cinema during his virtual appearance at this year's Moscow International Film Week, and said he would like to make a movie in Russia if he had an opportunity. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned his participati
Read the article