Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned Woody Allen's participation in the Moscow Film Festival: what is known.

According to inkorr.com: The participation of American director Woody Allen in the Moscow International Film Week has caused outrage in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The agency considers his participation an insult to Ukrainian filmmakers and actors who have become victims of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

«The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the participation of American director Woody Allen in the Moscow International Film Week. This is a disgrace and an insult to the victims of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals during Russia's aggression against Ukraine. By participating in a festival that unites supporters and mouthpieces of Putin, Allen deliberately closes his eyes to the atrocities that Russia commits in Ukraine every day for 11 years»

The Ministry emphasizes that the use of culture for propaganda or whitewashing crimes is unacceptable.

Woody Allen's reaction to criticism

During his participation in the Moscow event, director Woody Allen expressed his admiration for Russian cinema, mentioning that he received the film «War and Peace» well and his meeting with Russian colleague Sergey Bondarchuk. However, when asked about the possibility of shooting a film in Russia, Woody Allen replied that there are currently no relevant proposals.

«If such proposals appeared, I would approach and think about the idea of creating a film about the feeling of comfort in Moscow and St. Petersburg»

In 2023, during his participation in the Venice Film Festival, Woody Allen faced a negative reception from the audience, reflecting their dissatisfaction with his visit.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its outrage over American director Woody Allen's participation in the Moscow Film Festival, emphasizing its offensiveness to Ukrainian filmmakers and actors, whose sacrifice has resulted from Russian aggression in Ukraine. At the same time, the director positively commented on Russian cinema and emphasized that there are currently no plans for filming in Russia.