Woody Allen defends Moscow film festival appearance after Ukrainian backlash

In comments to The Guardian, the director said: “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.”

Allen made a remote appearance on Sunday during the Moscow International Film Week, speaking in a session hosted by Fyodor Bondarchuk — a long-time ally of Putin and director of patriotic films including Stalingrad (2013) and the sci-fi drama Attraction.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry condemned Allen’s decision in a statement on social media, calling it “a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and film-makers killed or wounded by Russian war criminals.” The ministry added: “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.”

Russian media reported that while Allen said he had no intention of making a film in Russia, he expressed “only good feelings for Moscow and St Petersburg.” He also praised Russian cinema, highlighting Sergei Bondarchuk’s Oscar-winning adaptation of War and Peace (1969).

Allen’s most recent projects have been funded in Europe: Rifkin’s Festival, shot in Spain and released in 2020, and Coup de Chance, filmed in France and released in 2023. These came after Amazon terminated its production deal with Allen in 2019. He later sued the company and reached a settlement. The dispute followed renewed allegations of sexual abuse from Dylan Farrow in 2014, which Allen has consistently denied and for which he has not been charged after two separate investigations.

• American director Woody Allen joined the Moscow Film Week via video link. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called this an insult to the Ukrainian filmmakers killed or wounded by Russian war criminals.