Kyiv Outraged: Woody Allen Supporting Russian Regime
Legendary filmmaker Woody Allen faces backlash from Ukraine after praising Russian cinema at Moscow International Film Festival amid ongoing war. Learn about the diplomatic fallout.
Twitter
The participation of legendary American filmmaker Woody Allen in Moscow has sparked anger in Kyiv, after he praised Russian cinema amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry issued a blistering condemnation on Monday following Allen’s virtual appearance at the Moscow International Film Festival. Officials in Kyiv said the event, which featured local filmmakers who openly support the Putin government, dishonored the memory of Ukrainian artists killed during Russia’s invasion.
Allen, 89, joined a panel discussion where he praised Russian cinema, once again citing Andrei Tarkovsky as one of his greatest influences. He also recalled his “positive impressions” from past visits to St. Petersburg and Moscow, remarks that Ukrainian officials interpreted as tacit support for the Kremlin.
In a formal statement, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said:
“Woody Allen’s appearance at this event is a disgraceful act that dishonors the memory of Ukrainian filmmakers murdered by the Russian occupiers.”
Allen, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed yet controversial figures, has won four Academy Awards — one for directing Annie Hall (1977) and three for screenwriting, including Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Midnight in Paris (2011). His most recent film, Rifkin’s Festival, screened last year at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
However, his career has been overshadowed in recent years by the #MeToo movement and resurfacing allegations of sexual abuse from Mia Farrow and their adopted daughter Dylan. Although the case was closed decades ago without charges, the 2021 HBO documentary Allen v. Farrow reignited public debate and damaged his reputation.
Allen had previously announced plans to retire from filmmaking and focus on writing, but he has continued to attend film events worldwide. His appearance in Moscow, however, triggered a geopolitical storm, underscoring how cultural gestures — even from aging film icons — are now scrutinized as acts with political weight.