'This is a disgrace' — Ukraine condemns Woody Allen's participation in Moscow film festival
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Woody Allen first published by The Guardian.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Aug. 25 condemned American director Woody Allen's participation in the Moscow International Film Week, calling it "a disgrace" amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
"This is a disgrace and an insult to the memory of the Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals during Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement, adding that "culture should never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a tool of propaganda."
"By taking part in a festival that brings together (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's supporters and mouthpieces, Allen is deliberately turning a blind eye to the atrocities that Russia has been committing in Ukraine every day for 11 years," it added.
Allen has rejected accusations that his attendance at a film festival in Moscow amounted to whitewashing Russia’s actions in Ukraine, following criticism from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.
In a statement to the Guardian, Allen 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."
Russian media reported that on Aug. 24, Allen appeared via videoconference at a film festival in Moscow, where he shared his thoughts on the future of cinema in the age of artificial intelligence and praised Russian filmmaking.
Allen, 89, is best known for films like Annie Hall and Manhattan, and has long been a prominent figure in American independent cinema. His participation in the festival comes as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022, which has included attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian casualties.
