Woody Allen faces backlash following participation in Moscow International Film Week

American filmmaker Woody Allen appeared at the Moscow International Film Week yesterday, taking part in the event via a video link 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.”

In a statement on Monday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “This is a shame and an insult to the victims of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who were killed or injured by Russian war criminals during the Russian aggression against 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.

By taking part in a festival that… pic.twitter.com/qQyQrqMh2z

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) August 25, 2025

“By participating in a festival that unites Putin 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. Culture should never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a tool of propaganda,” the ministry added.

During the talk, Oscar-winner Allen talked about AI and described a visit to the USSR as a grim experience, but also praised Russian cinema and said he could potentially make a movie in Russia if he received an offer, according to Russian state media.

“If there were similar proposals, I would sit down and think about what the script could be about how well you feel in Moscow and St. Petersburg,” Allen said.